It's not his fault: When Yuvraj hit back at Pietersen for blaming Pant after India's 2019 WC semi-final defeat

In a spectacular exhibition of aggressive batting, Rishabh Pant played one of the finest knocks by an Indian middle-order batter away from home to register his maiden ODI century. In the series decider of the three-match ODI series against England, Pant scored an incredible knock of 125 runs in just 113 balls.

Earlier he put up a 132-run partnership with star all-rounder Hardik Pandya for the fifth wicket after the team found themselves in big trouble at 72-4. Pant and Hardik's incredible efforts ensured a comfortable five-wicket victory for the Men in Blue with 47 balls to spare.

After the game, legendary Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh revealed that he had a 45-minute conversation with Pant before the game and claimed that the innings showed it worked. The Indian wicket-keeper batter acknowledged Yuvraj's tweet.

Yuvraj is someone who has always been a big believer of Pant's match-winning ability and defended him during his lowest moments. After India's 2019 World Cup semi-final defeat to New Zealand at Manchester in heartbreaking fashion, ex-England captain Kevin Pietersen had slammed Pant for playing a poor shot and claimed it was the reason he was not picked in the squad initially.

"How many times have we seen @RishabPant777 do that?????!!!!! The very reason he wasn’t picked initially! Pathetic!," wrote Pietersen on Twitter.

However, Yuvraj came out in strong defense of him and claimed that it is not Pant's fault. The 2011 World Cup winner also reminded Pietersen that Pant had just played eight games and he will learn with time. "He’s played 8 Odis ! It’s not his fault he will learn and get better it’s not pathetic at all ! However we all are entitled to share our opinions," replied Yuvraj.

Pant has now become India's first-choice wicket-keeper in all formats. While he has already made himself one of the finest players in Test cricket, his form in white-ball cricket has been shaky. The century over England will certainly help him get the monkey of his back.