Rishabh Pant endured a punishing day at the crease during the first innings of the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney. Facing relentless short-pitched bowling, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter showcased resilience and determination, scoring 40 runs off 98 balls in a testing session.
Pant’s Courageous Innings
Pant’s stay at the crease was marked by multiple blows to his body, with the Australian bowlers targeting him with short-pitched deliveries. He was struck on his bicep, helmet, and twice in the abdominal region, each instance requiring immediate medical attention from the physio. A particularly jarring blow to his shoulder brought the physio running onto the field, but Pant refused to give up.
Despite the physical toll, Pant maintained his focus and battled through a session where runs were hard to come by. India managed just 50 runs in 25 overs, but Pant’s presence helped hold the innings together.
The Gambhir Connection
Pant’s measured approach came just days after a reported “honest conversation” with Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir following the Melbourne Test. Gambhir had advised Pant to rein in his aggression and focus on playing responsibly, a suggestion the young batter seemed to have embraced in Sydney.
Although Pant curbed his attacking instincts, he still displayed glimpses of his trademark flair. A straight six off debutant Beau Webster and a cheeky cut shot off Nathan Lyon were standout moments in an otherwise cautious innings.
A Brave Knock Ends
Pant’s gritty resistance ended when Scott Boland bowled a well-aimed short delivery that stopped slightly on the surface. Pant, attempting to work the ball towards midwicket, mistimed his shot, offering a simple catch to Pat Cummins at short cover. His dismissal at 40 left India in a precarious position, which worsened when Nitish Kumar Reddy was dismissed on the very next ball, leaving the visitors struggling at 120/6.
Drama and Challenges for India
Pant’s efforts came amid significant challenges for the Indian team. Rohit Sharma’s unexpected absence from the playing XI due to poor form—scoring just 31 runs in five innings—added to the team’s uncertainty. Jasprit Bumrah, who had earlier captained the side during Rohit’s paternity leave, once again took over the leadership responsibilities.
India’s batting lineup continued to falter, with Virat Kohli falling to a familiar weakness against deliveries outside off-stump. Scott Boland dismissed Kohli for 17, marking the 22nd time since 2021 that the Indian batting star had been caught fishing outside off-stump against pacers.
As India faced a challenging day on a difficult pitch, Rishabh Pant’s courageous knock stood out as a testament to his resilience and fighting spirit. Despite the team’s struggles, his innings provided a glimmer of hope in an otherwise tough outing for the visitors.
