Within the opening Take a look at of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 towards Australia, Rishabh Pant showcased his trademark aptitude and resilience. After a dismal begin that noticed India crumbling to 150 all out, Pant, alongside debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy, tried to stabilize the innings. The duo’s partnership was a silver lining on a day marked by batting failures, as they navigated via the rubble left by the highest and middle-order collapse.
Pant’s innings included a panoramic six off Australian captain Pat Cummins, which momentarily lifted the spirits of Indian followers. Dealing with a full supply angled into off-stump, Pant executed a superb shot that soared over the fine-leg boundary. This second of brilliance not solely highlighted his aggressive batting type but additionally supplied a glimpse of hope for the struggling Indian facet.
Pat Cummins’ crafty plan will get Rishabh Pant
Nevertheless, it was Cummins who in the end had the final snicker. After establishing Pant with a sequence of deliveries outdoors off-stump, Cummins bowled a straighter ball that induced an error from Pant, resulting in his dismissal for 37 runs. Former Australian cricketer Michael Hussey famous how Cummins’ technique successfully pried on Pant’s endurance, culminating in a vital wicket for Australia. Hussey described Cummins as a “sensible bowler” who expertly manipulated the state of affairs to his benefit.
“This is the reason you’ll be able to have a quick bowler as a Captain. He’s a wise bowler, sensible captain, Pat Cummins. Throwing it outdoors off-stump, prying on the endurance of Rishabh Pant, and simply received a bit of bit fuller. Rishabh Pant, he noticed that midwicket tried to work it in there,” the Australian cricketer-turned-commentator defined.
Additionally [WATCH] Rishabh Pant’s witty reply to Nathan Lyon’s IPL 2025 public sale query
Right here’s the video:
Too good, Pat Cummins!
Mike Hussey explains the Aussie captain’s set-up of Rishabh Pant #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/bIfdGUqfwR
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 22, 2024
A disappointing batting efficiency from India within the first innings
Regardless of Pant’s efforts, India’s batting efficiency was largely disappointing. The highest order faltered early, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal each falling for geese. KL Rahul’s dismissal in a controversial caught-behind resolution added to the woes, leaving India reeling at 59 for 5 at one level. Reddy emerged as a standout performer with a composed 41 runs, however other than him and Pant, there was little else to cheer about for Indian followers.
As India head into the subsequent days of this Take a look at match, the main target might be on rebuilding their batting technique.