Rishabh Pant displayed remarkable courage and resilience on Day 1 of the 5th and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Despite taking brutal blows from Australian pacers, Pant’s determination shone as he battled through intense bowling spells from Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and Pat Cummins.
Pant’s Grit Against Starc and Boland
Body Blows and Helmet Hit
- Pant took multiple blows, including a 140 kmph bouncer from Mitchell Starc that struck his arm, causing an immediate bruise.
- Moments later, another delivery from Starc hit Pant’s helmet, prompting physio intervention.
Sportsmanship Displayed
Mitchell Starc, despite his fiery deliveries, showed sportsmanship by checking on Pant after the helmet strike.
Pant’s Fighting Knock
Despite the physical toll, Rishabh Pant persisted, scoring 40 runs off 98 balls. His innings included a stunning six against debutant Beau Webster that landed in the sight screen, requiring ground staff to fetch the ball.
Latest Batting Highlights
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 10 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 38.46 |
| Lokesh Rahul | 4 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 28.57 |
| Shubman Gill | 20 | 64 | 2 | 0 | 31.25 |
| Rishabh Pant | 40 | 98 | 3 | 1 | 40.82 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 26 | 95 | 3 | 0 | 27.37 |
| Jasprit Bumrah (C) | 22 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 129.41 |
See Also:- India Test Record at Sydney Cricket Ground
India’s Struggles Against Australia’s Bowling
Bowling Figures
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc | 18.0 | 5 | 49 | 3 | 2.72 |
| Scott Boland | 20.0 | 8 | 31 | 4 | 1.55 |
| Pat Cummins (C) | 15.2 | 4 | 37 | 2 | 2.41 |
Key Moments
- Scott Boland’s Precision: Boland emerged as the pick of the bowlers with a stunning economy rate of 1.55, claiming four crucial wickets, including that of Rishabh Pant.
- Mitchell Starc’s Pace: Starc’s fiery spell saw him dismiss Ravindra Jadeja and Prasidh Krishna, pushing India deeper into trouble.
Pant’s knock was crucial for India, who ended the day at a precarious 120/6 after early dismissals of top-order batsmen.
Read Also:- Australia Test Record at Sydney Cricket Ground
India’s Struggles at the Crease
The Indian batting lineup faltered once again:
- Openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal fell early, leaving India at 17/2.
- Virat Kohli struggled with deliveries outside the off-stump, falling for just 17 runs to Scott Boland.
- Nitish Kumar Reddy fell on the very next ball after Pant’s dismissal, further deepening India’s woes.
The team India ended the day at a modest total of 185 all out, with the Australian bowlers dominating throughout the day.
Drama and Leadership Changes
Rohit Sharma, under scrutiny for poor performances, was rested for the final Test, making way for Jasprit Bumrah to captain the side. The decision raised eyebrows but brought a new dynamic to the Indian camp.
Rishabh Pant’s innings, though short-lived, highlighted his grit and ability to endure intense pressure. His resilience serves as a testament to his fighting spirit, even when faced with relentless bowling.
