Team India’s keeper-batter Rishabh Pant wowed fans with an unbelievable shot against Australian skipper Pat Cummins during the first Test match in Perth. Pant’s stunning moment came when India was struggling after losing six early wickets in their first innings.
Stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah had chosen to bat first at the Optus Stadium on Friday, November 22. However, the decision backfired as India’s top order crumbled, managing just 73 runs for six wickets under tough batting conditions.
Facing the last ball of the 42nd over, Pant played an extraordinary sweep shot to a full delivery angled around off-stump. Collapsing his back knee he launched the ball over fine leg for a massive six. The shot showcased Pant’s signature style and fearless approach.
Fox Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle couldn’t contain his excitement saying:
“Ladies and gentlemen, stop what you are doing right now. Get your jaw together again because this is Rishabh Pant! He’s box office, one of the ‘wow’ players in the game.”
David Warner added, “Trademark Rishabh Pant. Seen him do this time and again in the IPL. Wow, look at him—so composed, played it so late. That’s a half-volley.”
Bhogle continued, “I’m not sure which replay I want to watch again—the shot itself or the look on your face when he played it. He’s done this before, but doing it on a big ground with a fielder already there is just something else.”
Australia’s pace trio—Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood—dominated the morning session, using the pitch’s extra bounce and seam movement effectively. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal were dismissed for ducks while Virat Kohli managed only five runs.
KL Rahul who scored 26, was the only batter to show some resistance before his controversial dismissal just before lunch. After the break, Dhruv Jurel (11) and Washington Sundar (4) also fell cheaply, leaving India reeling at 73/6.
Rishabh Pant (37 off 78 balls), with three sixes and one four formed a brief partnership with Nitish Kumar Reddy before falling as the seventh wicket. India eventually collapsed to 144/9, with Nitish Kumar Reddy unbeaten at the crease.
