Rishabh Pant took a brutal bouncer to the side of his helmet while battling Mitchell Starc’s relentless pace. The incident, which occurred during the second session of the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, left the Indian wicketkeeper visibly shaken but undeterred.
India’s innings teetered on the edge after yet another shaky start, collapsing to 72/4 by the second session. The stage was set for a classic rescue act, and as always, Pant rose to the challenge. But this wasn’t a smooth sailing ride. It was a gritty, body-on-the-line effort.
Starc’s Scorcher Leaves Pant Reeling
The incident occurred early in the afternoon when Starc unleashed a thunderous bouncer. It was perfectly pitched, sharp, and downright nasty. Pant, caught off guard, had no time to sway or duck. The ball ricocheted off his helmet grill, sending shockwaves through the stadium.
Starc, ever the sportsman, walked up to check on Pant immediately. The Indian physios rushed onto the field, ensuring the wicketkeeper-batsman was fit to continue. A moment of camaraderie broke the intensity momentarily, but Pant’s determination was written all over his face.
India’s Top Order Crumbles Yet Again
The day started poorly for India. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul were sent back within the first hour, leaving the team reeling at 17/2. Rahul’s misjudged defense off Boland and Jaiswal’s flashy drive led to their undoing.
Shubman Gill showed promise, steadying the innings for a while. However, a reckless swipe at Nathan Lyon’s last delivery before lunch undid all his efforts. Gill’s dismissal at 28 added to India’s woes.
Then came Virat Kohli. He survived a contentious catch that was ruled not out but failed to capitalize. His innings ended with a tame edge to the slips for just 17 runs, handing Boland his second scalp.
With India staring at an abyss, Rishabh Pant stood between Australia and total domination. The Australians targeted him with short-pitched deliveries, Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc taking turns testing his resolve.
Body blows, verbal volleys, and a hostile pitch did little to deter him. Despite wearing visible signs of the battle, Pant held his ground, defending stoutly and occasionally finding the boundary. At Tea on Day 2, India are 107/4 with Pant batting on 32.
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