After the IPL break, Pant will play the Test in T20 mode

Rishabh Pant went into the first session on the second day of the third Test against New Zealand with a vengeance. The exciting left-hand batsman scored at a strike rate that was more in line with a T20 than a first-class game. It seemed like he was trying to say something to Delhi Capitals, who decided to let him go in the recent IPL retention.

If any IPL franchise needed proof of his explosive style, they were right there as Pant powered his way to a fifty. His reckless approach ultimately led to his dismissal on 60 off 59 balls. Pant hit eight boundaries and two sixes.

Pant returned with his overnight score of 1 and greeted Ajaz Patel, who opened the session, with three boundaries, including a drive through mid-on, twice over. He aimed at the spinner on his left arm, sending one too far and another into the viewscreen. In between, he managed a perfect reverse sweep.

Glenn Phillips also received treatment from Pant while Shubman Gill remained steady at the other end. At one point there was a feeling that Pant would reach his fifty before Gill. He did it just three balls apart, with a single from Sodhi; in 36 balls, making it the fastest half-century by an Indian against New Zealand.

Pant received a warning when Sodhi hit him in the air. And another in the next round when Henry took it off Phillips. But he wasn't about to change and reach a limit with a googly before getting trapped in front of a fake one.

When he started, India were 149 runs behind and when he fell, they were just 53 runs short. A typical Pant innings that was both heroic and reckless.