Rishabh Pant led India to a memorable Twenty20 series victory over West Indies in the Caribbean Island registering his second T20I half-century for India and once again showing the world why he was India’s best wicket-keeping option in the limited-formats post-MS Dhoni. India beat West Indies by 7 wickets in the final T20I to complete a clean sweep. But for Pant it was a sign and a suggestion to captain Virat Kohli and the team management that said he was ready. The young wicket-keeper also slammed MS Dhoni’s records for India in T20Is. 'I Do Get Frustrated When I Don’t Get Runs', Says Rishabh Pant After Dismal Performance in First Two T20s Against West Indies.

Chasing 147, India were in spot of bother after losing both of their opening batsmen for just 27 runs inside 4.4 overs. But Pant together in the company of Kohli first rescued India before steering the chase with what turned out to be his highest T20I score for India. The half-century was the 21-year-old’s second T20I fifty – the same as Dhoni. But while Pant managed to score two T20I half-centuries in just 18 games, Dhoni could score only two T20I half-centuries in 98 Twenty20 internationals for India. India vs West Indies 3rd T20I Stat Highlights: Deepak Chahar & Rishabh Pant Smash New Records As IND Beat WI by 7 Wickets.

Pant’s score of 65* is also his highest individual T20I score for India. Dhoni’s highest T20I score for India Dhoni had scored against England in 2017. Pant now has the highest score registered by an Indian wicket-keeper in T20I internationals. Dhoni holds the second and third highest T20I individual score for India. The World Cup-winning captain’s 56 runs against England in Bengaluru, 2017 is now the second-highest score by an Indian wicket-keeper, while his 52 against South Africa last year is third in the list.

Meanwhile, with Dhoni taking a two-month break from cricket, Pant is in the Indian squad as the first-choice wicket-keeper for both the ODI series and Test series. He will hope to carry on his good form in the T20Is to both the ODI and Test series. India are set to play West Indies in three-match ODI series before also facing them in two Test matches.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 07, 2019 04:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).