India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is known for his aggressive batting style despite the situation demanding the opposite of it. During the second innings of the Adelaide Test, Pant did something that was totally unexpected during that phase of the match.
Pant arrived to bat at the fall of Virat Kohli’s wicket in the 15th over of the innings. With India reeling at 66-3, he was expected to take his time and grind the innings before taking on the bowlers.
However, Rishabh Pant danced down the track in his first ball to smash the dangerous-looking Scott Boland for a four over mid-off. It was a typical Pant kind of shot and something that has been successful for him over the years.
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Watch- Rishabh Pant steps out to Scott Boland in his first ball to smash a boundary
First ball, team under the pump, ball doing plenty …
Rishabh Pant! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/1FosQ1I3Ju
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 7, 2024
After Pant smashed Boland for a first-ball four, the latter was left stunned. It brought some joy among the Indian crowd in the stands who have been waiting for such moments.
Being aggressive has been Rishabh Pant’s strength over the years and he clearly backed it despite the situation not demanding it. Although there is a high risk in such shots, he backs himself to play that way and has been well supported by the team management.
The fact that such a shot came after the big wicket of Virat Kohli makes it even more special. Boland had bowled a perfect ball to Kohli to snare his wicket and push India back to the ropes.
Australia dominates India in Adelaide
Earlier in the day, Australia finished their innings on 337, thus taking a big first innings lead of 157 runs. Travis Head smashed a counter-attacking 140 off 141 balls to take his team to a position of strength. Head struck 17 fours and 4 sixes during his knock.
Marnus Labuschagne gave him good company with a fine 64 and announced his return to form. Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers for India with 4-61. His new ball partner Mohammed Siraj finished with 4-98.
Trailing by a huge no. of runs, India started poorly as they lost KL Rahul early. A brief partnership followed between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill before the former was dismissed. India needed a big partnership but Australia kept chipping away with wickets at important intervals.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma fail again
Gill was again dismissed after a good start. Senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were castled for a low score for theh second time in the match.
India were 128-5 at Stumps on Day 2 with Rishabh Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy still at the crease. Pant has looked good for his 28 off 25 balls and will be looking to add as much runs as he can on the third day.