Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant showed his brilliance with the bat when the team needed him the most. The Indian team were immediately put on back foot by Australia after dismissing captain Ajinkya Rahane in the opening minutes of final day.
Hanuma Vihari was the normal No. 5 in the absence of Virat Kohli from the batting lineup. However, the team management decided to promote Rishabh Pant. This decision has paid dividends for India as he rallied the team with his range of shots.
Pujara played the perfect role as the supporter. He rotated strike as much as possible to give Pant chance to go after loose balls. Pant started cautiously as he scored only 5 runs from his initial 30 odd deliveries. However, he upped the ante in the next 30 balls. Pant scored a massive 45 runs in the next 30 balls to counter attack Aussie bowlers.
The plan has worked brilliantly and it had Australia on a defensive mode. Pant played his shots freely and took bowlers with ease. The effort from Pant is commendable especially he got an elbow injury in the first innings.
Pant's enjoying himself out there now!
Live #AUSvIND: https://t.co/KwwZDwbdzO pic.twitter.com/FTob8nSVtC
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 11, 2021
The highlight of his innings came when he hit two consecutive sixes against Lyon. He took risks and at one time it looked like India could win the test match if he stays longer.
Pant and Pujara put a 148 run stand for the fourth wicket on the final day. This is incidentally the highest fourth wicket partnership for India in the 4th innings of a test match.
Rishabh Pant was often criticized for his wicket keeping but he is a proper batsman when the team needs him. This is one of the reasons why he is rated so highly by many experts. This also gives his slight edge to be picked ahead of Saha.
He reminded of Virender Sehwag today with his style of batting. He was very brutal with his hitting and took many risks. Pant was dismissed on 97 by Lyon while trying to hit him for a boundary.
Watch Full Innings of Rishabh Pant
Pant would have liked a century so did the fans. But it will be interesting to see if he can recover from his elbow injury before Brisbane test. India are currently marred with injuries and they hope to see Pant fit for the final test match on January 15.
