Not accidental! Sachin Tendulkar decodes 'clever' technique behind Rishabh Pant's falling paddle sweep

New Delhi: The legendary Sachin Tendulkar was left impressed by Team India star Rishabh Pant’s batting heroics on Day 2 of the ongoing first Test between India and England at Headingley in Leeds on Saturday. The Master Blaster revealed the method behind Pant’s madness as he decoded his trademark falling paddle sweep, a shot that the swashbuckling left-hander uses extensively to score runs in Test cricket.

Pant slammed a brilliant knock of 134 runs to help India dominate early in the morning session on Day 2 and post a huge total of 471 runs on the board in their first innings. His knock was laced with 12 fours and six sixes as Pant once again left many in awe with his audacious strokes. With his ton, Pant also surpassed MS Dhoni to claim the record for most centuries by an Indian wicket-keeper batter in Tests.

Pant uses a lot of ramp shots, paddle sweeps and expansive sweeps in his batting, and often ends up losing his balance while trying to execute some of those. His falling paddle sweep has arguably been one of his most audacious yet impactful shots in his Test career. Tendulkar explained why Pant losing his balance and falling while playing his falling paddle sweep is not accidental, but a clever execution of a technique that only he can pull off.

Tendulkar took to X to share a post where he shared his observations from Pant’s 134-run knock against England in India’s first innings of the Leeds Test and decoded the method behind the audacious stroke. The Master Blaster said Pant falling on the ground helps him get under the ball while playing the paddle sweep, which results in a perfect scoop over leg slip.

“Rishabh’s falling paddle sweep is not accidental. It is intentional and extremely clever. Going down with the shot allows him to get under the ball and scoop it over leg slip with control,” Tendulkar wrote in a tweet.

The legendary batter also praised Pant and Indian skipper Shubman Gill’s decision to speak loudly during their exchanges in Hindi at the pitch when England spinner Shoaib Bashir was bowling in the middle. Tendulkar felt it was a deliberate attempt from the Indian batters to unsettle the spinner, who as per him, understands Hindi.

“Also noticed something interesting during Bashir’s spell. Shubman and Rishabh were speaking loudly in Hindi between deliveries. It wasn’t just casual talk. They were playing mind games with the bowler, trying to disrupt his rhythm. These minor details may not appear on the scoreboard, but they can have a significant impact on the game,” Tendulkar added in his post.

Rishabh’s falling paddle sweep is not accidental. It is intentional and extremely clever. Going down with the shot allows him to get under the ball and scoop it over leg slip with control.

Also noticed something interesting during Bashir’s spell. Shubman and Rishabh were…

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt)

Pant, Gill, Jaiswal’s tons guide India to 471 in 1st innings

Centuries from the trio of Pant, Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal powered India to a strong total of 471 runs in their first innings of the Leeds Test against England. Jaiswal slammed a fabulous knock of 101 runs, while Gill notched up his ton on Day 1 to set the tone for India, before Pant slammed a brilliant knock of 134 runs to power India to 171.

Gill top-scored with 147 runs on his Test captaincy debut and shared a magnificent stand of 209 runs for the 4th wicket with Pant. The duo scripted history by becoming the first captain and vice-captain pair to score centuries apiece in their debut Test match as captain and vice-captain. India will be looking to bowl out England as early as possible in their first innings to amass a huge lead for their second innings.