Australia struggled early, with Labuschagne, Konstas, and Head falling to Indian pacers, as India dominated the session. Despite a resilient stand between Beau Webster and Steve Smith, India bounced back, dismissing Smith before lunch and bowling Australia out for 181, taking a narrow 4-run lead at Tea. In India’s second innings, Scott Boland made an impact, removing Rahul, Jaiswal, and Kohli, leaving India in a vulnerable position at 39/3. But it was Rishabh Pant who went berserk and took on an aggressive approach culminating in his back-to-back sixes off Mitchell Starc.
On the second ball of the 22nd over, Mitchell Starc bowled a full delivery angling in, and Rishabh Pant, with effortless swagger, whipped it over deep square-leg for a six. Pant reached 50 off just 29 balls, marking the second-fastest fifty for an Indian in Tests. On the very next delivery, Starc sprayed a length delivery angling in, and Pant, with similar authority, heaved it to deep square leg for another six. The SCG crowd was left silent in awe of Pant’s aggressive approach, and the Twitterverse quickly erupted, praising his fearless batting.
Rishab Pant hit two consecutives six on Mitchell Starc ball
Rishabh Pant has reached a score of 60. pic.twitter.com/5uf2dLAKyu— The Comrade (@Yogeshp89973385) January 4, 2025
Rishabh Pant reached his fifty with a six against Starc. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/NW0EfD8m7k
— @hari_jorwal (@BittuMe00144288) January 4, 2025
Unique batter for sure!
madness!
BACK TO BACK SIXES BY RISHABH PANT AGAINST STARC 🥶🔥 pic.twitter.com/SAFOSQIIQa
— Santhosh Bby (@santhosh_bby) January 4, 2025
This Rishabh Pant Show 🔥🔥
Fifty For Rishabh In Just 29 Balls 🔥
Infact Complete Fifty In His Style With Six On Starc Ball😭#INDvsAUSTest #AUSvIND #RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/bVVmP3AwLG— Lokesh 🕉️ (@LokeshKhatri__) January 4, 2025
That’s how you get it!
Yes that’s how he does!
Rishabh pant reached Fifty With six against Mitchell Starc..!!🔥 pic.twitter.com/kOSSBKh6wG
— MANU. (@Manojy9812) January 4, 2025
Back to back sixes to Mitchell Starc, real madness of Rishabh Pant 🔥#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/RpQ2hASNFo
— Nidhi (@Nidhiikashyap_) January 4, 2025
Enjoyed it!
Yeah man!
Rishabh Pant reached his fifty with a six against Starc. 🥶#INDvsAUS #AUSvIND #RohitSharma #RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/ah9O2MwltX
— Hitman_45 (@Rameshyadav799) January 4, 2025
