Rishabh Pant smashes Nathan Lyon: The Indian wicket-keeper batsman has brought back his team into the match at the SCG.
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During the fifth day of the third Test of the ongoing India’s tour of Australia in Sydney, India wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant justified the team management’s decision to promote him at No. 5 by scoring his third half-century.
Chasing a formidable 407-run target, India were short by 309 runs last evening. What further didn’t help was captain Ajinkya Rahane (4) departing cheaply off Australia spinner Nathan Lyon in the first 10 minutes of the last day.
Pant, who was expected to bat “if required” due to his elbow injury, appeared to be batting in significant pain but the same didn’t prevent him from giving his best in a daunting situation.
Having attacked Lyon first to break the shackles in the 48th over, the 23-year old player once again targeted the spinner to hit consecutive sixes in the 56th over. Despite Australia captain Tim Paine having fielders at the boundary for Pant, the latter successfully cleared the boundary on several occasions at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
With India scoring 108 runs in the first session, it was given them a significant chance of winning and not just drawing. While it still is a long way to go especially after considering that the pitch will deteriorate further, Pant has surely turned the tabled in the morning session.
Rishabh Pant smashes Nathan Lyon
Pant’s enjoying himself out there now!
Live #AUSvIND: https://t.co/KwwZDwbdzO pic.twitter.com/FTob8nSVtC
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 11, 2021
How Twitterati reacted:
100-run stand between the odd couple, Pujara and Pant! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/9SdHd1rCO0
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 11, 2021
And that, folks, is what I refer to as A Gripping Session Of Test Cricketing. #AUSvIND
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) January 11, 2021
That was one of best sessions on this series. Tense, gripping, both attritional and exhilarating and it leaves the match full of possibilities. Australia still favourites, but India can dream. #INDvAUS
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) January 11, 2021
Rishabh Pant is the only batsman in this India XI who has a century in 4th innings in Tests. He looks on course to score one more and take India in history books. Chase of 407 is on! #AusvInd
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) January 11, 2021
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