Watch: Rishabh Pant’s jaw-dropping off-balance scoop flies away for six, video goes viral

null

There are batters representing Test cricket who generally play traditional cricketing shots, and then there are some like Rishabh Pant who play some really unconventional shots to great effect. The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy saw him exhibit yet another astonishingly spectacular shot off the bowling of the Australian skipper, Pat Cummins.

Pant was looking comfortable along with Nitish Kumar Reddy as they were slowly but surely leading India’s fightback from the collapse they had endured earlier. The last delivery of Pat Cummins’ 12th over saw Pant getting down on one knee to a full delivery outside the off-stump, and ridiculously banishing the ball over the fine leg fence for a maximum. The manner in which Pant moved across towards the off-side and got down to a delivery which was least expected to be directed to where it was, was an absolute spectacle to behold.

Unfortunately for Pant and India though, the former could not continue his counter-attacking punch alongside Reddy as he was dismissed shortly after through a sharply-snagged catch by Steve Smith at second slip off a leading edge.

Also Read: AUS vs IND 2024-25: Simon Taufel dissects KL Rahul’s controversial DRS dismissal in Perth Test

Top and middle-order collapse after India elect to bat first

What looked like a good toss to win and a positive decision taken by the Indians slowly turned from bad to worse over time as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal were dismissed for eight and 23-ball ducks, respectively.

KL Rahul looked steadfast during his knock but he too was dismissed after Josh Hazlewood secured his second for the day in the form of Virat Kohli who managed a paltry score of five. India were skittled out for 150 with the last wicket to fall being India’s top-scorer, Reddy, who departed after a fighting knock. It wiil be interesting to see how the Indian bowlers fare to restrict the Australians for as little as possible.