The young Indian wicket-keeper batsman, Rishabh Pant played a sensational knock 97 off just 118 deliveries, to keep India’s hopes alive on the fifth and final day of the ongoing third Test against Australia at the Sydney cricket ground on Monday. While Pant missed out on what would have been one of the most memorable centuries of his career, he managed to garner a lot of praise for his fearless batting approach that made Australia toil in the field.
Rishabh Pant, who didn’t keep wickets during Australia’s second innings after suffering an injury on his left elbow, came out all guns blazing and started smashing the Australian bowlers left, right and center as he scored 12 fours and three sixes. After Pant’s dismissal fans and experts immediately took to social media to share some praises for the whirlwind knock by one of the youngest members of the Indian side.
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The explosive batsman earned a lot of respect for overcoming his injury and playing a superb knock in some of the most difficult circumstances, with the team pushed against the wall after an early wicket of Ajinkya Rahane on Day 5.
Former Indian cricketer, VVS Laxman, who himself played one of the most memorable Test knocks in the history of Indian cricket, praised Risabh Pant for the way he batted and brought India back into the game.
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Tweeting about the same, Laxman wrote: “He may not have got his Hundred but @RishabhPant17 can be very proud at the way he batted. Got India back into the game with his aggressive stroke play. Well done young man. #AUSvIND,” Laxman tweeted.
He may not have got his 💯 but @RishabhPant17 can be very proud at the way he batted. Got India back into the game with his aggressive stroke play. Well done young man. #AUSvIND
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 11, 2021
पंत भला तो सब भला.
Wasn’t a century but what a helluva knock under pressure…fought the odds and the injury. #RishabhPant #AusvInd— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 11, 2021
On our hand each finger does a different job, and that’s exactly what @cheteshwar1 and @RishabhPant17 did for #TeamIndia. Wonderful partnership.#ONETEAMONECAUSE#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/sUEwWXXvYj
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 11, 2021
Wonderful innings from Pant, his natural instinct should always be embraced. “Live by the sword, die by the sword”#AUSvIND
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) January 11, 2021
Rohit, Pant, Pujara, Vihari, Jadeja each of them are a story. Stories of commitment grit and determination. There is more to sport than winning and losing. And this team has showed us what it is to fight and earn respect. This is fantastic to see.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) January 11, 2021
The century wasn't to be. But it is easily Pant's best test innings. You can't fault him the shot because it was many of those that offered a glimmer of victory when none believed it was possible.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 11, 2021
So much for the prediction of India scoring under 200, this pitch hasn't deteriorated anywhere near what I was expecting. Like the way Rishabh Pant's playing, it's the perfect approach to take in these conditions. And now it's game on #AUSvIND
— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) January 11, 2021
Talking about Pant’s dismissal he was well on the verge of scoring his third Test century but with just one over left before the second new ball was due for Australia, he decided to take Nathan Lyon on but completely mistimed the shot and handed a simple catch to the gully fielder.
However, what was interesting to see was that when Pant made his way back to the pavilion after getting out, he received a standing ovation from the SCG crowd.
