NEW DELHI: Amid a challenging opening day for India in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth, Rishabh Pant provided a moment of sheer brilliance with a jaw-dropping six off Australian skipper Pat Cummins.
India, reeling from relentless pressure by the Australian pacers, saw a brief glimmer of hope when Pant joined debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy for a gritty seventh-wicket partnership. While most of the day belonged to the Australian bowlers, Pant’s audacious six in the 42nd over was a standout moment that briefly shifted the spotlight.
Scorecard: India vs Australia, 1st Test
Facing a full ball from Cummins angled into off-stump, Pant displayed his trademark flair. Collapsing his back knee and falling over to the off-side, he whipped the ball with extraordinary power and precision, sending it soaring over the fine-leg boundary. The breathtaking shot left spectators and commentators in awe, momentarily lifting India’s spirits.
WATCH:
The partnership added 48 valuable runs, helping India breach the 100-run mark. However, Cummins had the last word, dismissing Pant for 37 with a sharp delivery that forced a leading edge to Steve Smith at second slip.
Pant’s dismissal left India teetering at 121/7, with his innings of 37, laced with three fours and that remarkable six, being the lone highlight of a tough day for the visitors.
While Australia’s pacers – led by Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood – dominated with relentless precision, it was Pant’s defiant stroke that captured the essence of his fearless batting and provided a rare moment of cheer for the visitors.
