When a team finds itself in a tough spot, a fearless, audacious approach is often the key to turning the tide. Such was the case on the first day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth, where the Indian batting lineup seemed vulnerable, but Rishabh Pant maintained his aggressive, attacking approach.
Australia’s early dominance continued as Starc scalped Yashasvi Jaiswal in the third over, and India struggled to build any significant partnerships, with Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli both dismissed cheaply. However, KL Rahul looked solid, scoring 26 off 74 balls. Unfortunately, Starc’s brilliance struck again in the 23rd over, sending Rahul back to the pavilion. By the time lunch was called, India found themselves at a precarious 51/4 after 25 overs, with Pant and Dhruv Jurel at the crease. Post-lunch, Mitchell Marsh was handed the ball for the first time and bowled a maiden 26th over. However, the pressure mounted when Marsh dismissed Jurel in the 28th over, leaving India at 59/5. Hopes rose briefly as Pant unleashed an aggressive shot, hitting Pat Cummins for a bold four.
On the third ball of the 29th over, Cummins bowled a short-of-length delivery outside off. Pant, judging the line well, charged down the track, moving to the leg side to give himself room. However, he mistimed the shot, and the ball soared toward the third-man region for a lucky boundary. Cummins could only smile at Pant’s audacious approach, while Twitter erupted in praise for the Indian keeper-batter’s daring attempt.
— Pandit Pranoob (@pranoob76889) November 22, 2024
Indians to Rishabh Pant #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/Yq3rV1xsXh
— Sajcasm (@sajcasm_) November 22, 2024
Only hope
Bowling all rounder
Having an ranji avg of somewhere around 25. More like a bowling allrounder.
Hope he attacks with Pant.#INDvsAUS #bgt #bgt2024 #ausvind #ausvsind https://t.co/2qk96ehf7p— Player_Of_The_Day (@Player_TheDay) November 22, 2024
Pant Please 3 Boundaries
— 𝙉𝙄𝙓𝙓𝙔 🥃 (@Aale_Baale) November 22, 2024
Interesting
Interesting that Cummins is going around the wicket to Pant. He has been averaging 200+ from that angle in SENA since 2020.
— Somesh Agarwal (@someshagarwal22) November 22, 2024
LOL
Ab to Pant ke non – striker end pe bhi Bat girne lage hain 😂 #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/SuHmsksSoi
— Youdha Akhilesh (@youdha_akhilesh) November 22, 2024
Rishabh Pant plays in Australia as if he’s playing in Delhi. He owns Australian grounds 🇮🇳📷#AUSvIND #tapmad #DontStopStreaming #CatchEveryMatch pic.twitter.com/H2Yv4okCMH
— Babar_804 (@EcomRehman88208) November 22, 2024
He’s too good
Poor Pant
Poor pant again being forced to support this mess of a team
— m 🕊🍉 (@luco_zain) November 22, 2024
