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'Wasn't In Frame Of Mind...'- Pant Talks About His Not So Customary Play At SCG Pitch

Muskaan Bhatt∙ Updated: Jan 3 2025, 3:20 PM

Rishabh Pant in action on Day 1 (Source: AP Photos)Rishabh Pant in action on Day 1 (Source: AP Photos)

India wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant said he batted with restraint on the opening day of the fifth Test against Australia because character of the SCG pitch did not allow him to be his customary aggressive self.

Rishabh Pant, who copped severe criticism from all corners for his callous approach to batting during the previous Test at Melbourne, made a 98-ball 40 in India’s 185 all out here on Friday.

"In this innings, I wasn't in frame of mind where I felt I could take charge of the game looking at nature of the wicket. Sometimes you have to play secure cricket as there were occasions where I could have taken 50-50 chances but didn’t," Pant said in the post-day press meet.

Pant Aims To Find A Balance Between Attack And Defence

The left-hander also said he is evolving as a batter, trying to find the right balance between defence and aggression. Pant also admitted that a batter tends to complicate things when he is not batting well.

"You want to bat the way that comes naturally to you but keep evolving and trying to keep a balance between attack and defence. When you are not doing well you tend to overthink," he said.

IND vs AUS 5th Test: What happened on Day 1?

Shifting towards Day 1 of the fifth Test match, India missed the services of  Rohit Sharma, who opted out of the game due to poor form. In his absence, Jasprit Bumrah took charge and led India. Things started on a good note for India, which won the toss and opted to bat first on a challenging Sydney pitch. The top-order faltered massively as Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill all fell for low scores. Although Virat Kohli was granted a lifeline, he failed to convert it into a significant score as he departed for 17 runs. 

Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja showed remarkable resilience and formed a good partnership; however, Pant's wicket was a big blow for India. Eventually, Bumrah's 22-run cameo helped India get to 185. Before the day ended, captain Bumrah successfully picked up the wicket of Usman Khawaja, and Australia was at 9/1. 

[With PTI Inputs]