There is no doubt about the fact that the Indian skipper, Virat Kohli’s insistence on fitness has motivated the modern generation of Indian cricketers to take their fitness very seriously, and the young Indian wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant is a brilliant example of the same. On Friday, he pulled off WWE star Shawn Michaels’ trademark Kip Up to flaunt his incredible fitness, which he has been seeing doing quite often.
Few Indian cricketers in the old generation had been strongly committed to a regimental work ethic and a strong fitness regime, but when Kohli started stressing on the importance of being fit to continue as an all-format cricketer, everyone accepted. Here is a guy who is ready to walk the talk and the fierce performance impacted the minds of many Indian cricketers.
Of course, Pant got inspired from the skipper and that was visible on his Instagram feed. He, however, decided to showcase that on the field once and for all as he pulled off a rising handspring kip up, exactly the way American professional wrestler Shawn Michaels used to do in the wrestling ring.
WATCH – Bharat Army Dedicates A Song To Rishabh Pant
During one of the drinks break on Day 2 of the Sydney Test, Pant was lying down on the ground on his back, but suddenly he lifted his legs up and then pushed his legs upward. The inertia took the rest of his body with him upward and then he was standing straight. It requires an immense amount of energy and core strength to pull off such a stunt. But Pant absolutely nailed it.
Here is the video of the same:
Not bad!#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/QuyrfFcfpD
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 4, 2019
For reference, watch Shawn Michaels’ trademark Kick Up here
Very WWE like! #HBK #KipUp pic.twitter.com/BbeSQlDzi6
— ArjGiese (@ArjGiese) January 4, 2019
Earlier, it was Nathan Lyon who finally brought an end to Cheteshwar Pujara’s marathon 193, who was looking comfortable to notch up his fourth double century and that is when he was caught and bowled by Lyon. It was also Lyon’s 15th caught and bowled in his career. But the Indian innings was anchored by Pujara as he has done all through the Australian summer.
Cheteshwar Pujara has so far, batted for 1702 minutes ie 28 hours, 22 minutes in this series!
That is like batting all by himself for an entire five-day Test match!😱#AusvInd#AusvsInd— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 3, 2019
Hanuma Vihari would have felt unlucky as he was dismissed for a score of 42 while he was looking good to get to a half century. Replays showed that it had not come off either his bat or glove and was wrongly given out.
