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In a match that has seen its share of challenges for batters, Rishabh Pant‘s performance in the fifth and final Test between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) has stood out, earning him high praise from cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.
Rishabh Pant’s gritty and explosive batting display
Pant showcased his aggressive and entertaining style of play by scoring a blistering 61 runs off just 33 balls in India’s second innings. This knock came on the heels of a more measured 40 off 98 balls in the first innings, demonstrating his ability to adapt to the game’s demands while maintaining his flair. His strike rate in the second innings was an astonishing 184, a figure that significantly outpaced the majority of other batters in this match who struggled to maintain a strike rate above 50.
Also WATCH: AUS vs IND – Rishabh Pant’s spectacular six forces ground staff to use ladder to retrieve the ball on Day 1 of the Sydney Test
Sachin Tendulkar lavishes praise on Pant
Tendulkar, often considered one of the greatest cricket players of all time, took to social media to express his admiration for Pant’s innings. Tendulkar praised Pant’s extraordinary innings on a challenging pitch where most batters struggled to score at a strike rate of 50 or less. The former India skipper highlighted the entertainment value and immense impact of Pant’s fearless batting, emphasizing how it disrupted Australia’s game plan and turned the match on its head.
“On a wicket where majority of the batters have batted at a SR of 50 or less, @RishabhPant17’s knock with a SR of 184 is truly remarkable. He has rattled Australia from ball one. It is always entertaining to watch him bat. What an impactful innings!” wrote Tendulkar on X (formerly Twitter).
On a wicket where majority of the batters have batted at a SR of 50 or less, @RishabhPant17's knock with a SR of 184 is truly remarkable. He has rattled Australia from ball one. It is always entertaining to watch him bat. What an impactful innings!#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/rU3L7OL1UX
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 4, 2025
Pant’s brilliance on a challenging SCG pitch
The SCG pitch has been a challenging one for batsmen in this Test, offering movement and bounce that made scoring difficult. Pant’s ability to score at such a high rate under these conditions is a testament to his talent and bravery. His innings in the second part of the match particularly turned heads, as he came out with clear intent to dominate the Australian bowling attack from the outset.
