AUS vs IND [WATCH]: Rishabh Pant sustains multiple body blows after being targeted by Australian bowlers on the Day 1 of the SCG Test

Rishabh Pant is one of a kind character in the Indian team. The wicket-keeper batter had endured enough pain physically and has still managed to return and play for the country despite all odds. Something of a similar sort happened on the first day of the final Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Pant wasn’t received well by the Australian bowlers as he came on the crease to bat.

Rishabh Pant took several hits on the body in a valiant effort with the bat 

The wicket-keeper batter arrived on the crease after lunch as Shubman Gill was dismissed by Nathan Lyon on the last ball of the opening session. Pant tried to spend some time on the crease and gain momentum post-lunch. But the Australian pace attack, and Mitchell Starc in particular, had other plans for Pant. A short ball pitched outside-off from Starc hit directly on Pant’s upper arm thus leaving a red mark on his left bicep. Medical assistance had to rush on the ground to apply ice-pack on the targeted area and bandage so that Pant could continue to bat.

Another short-ball from Starc was aimed towards Pant’s helmet as the 27-year-old had to take off his helmet to reduce the recoil effect and see any damage that may have occurred due to the targeted delivery. Others in the Aussie pace-attack too weren’t kind. A pitched delivery from Scott Boland aimed towards Pant’s pads took some extra bounce and hit Pant’s groin area instead. Pant was visibly in pain afterwards but he continued to bat.

Also WATCH: Steve Smith reacts after 3rd umpire overturns his catch of Virat Kohli on Day 1 of SCG Test – AUS vs IND

Here’s the video

Rishabh Pant took a number of heavy hits to the body.#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/TdyJ1qhm9C

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2025

Indian innings in desperate need of a partnership

The Sydney pitch has behaved rather unusually on the first day of the New Year’s Test with lush green patches and uneven bounce especially helping the pacers. This has resulted in the Indian openers and the top-order succumbing to the Australian onslaught with the bowl. India now need a solid partnership to keep their innings afloat. Pant’s resistance, however, didn’t last long as he was dismissed after scoring 40 runs off 98 balls.

Also Read: Steve Smith likely to lead Australia in the absence of Pat Cummins for Sri Lanka Tests – Reports