WATCH: Rishabh Pant shows his grit by taking body blows in Sydney Test; video goes viral

At the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024–25), wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant sustained several injuries during the nation’s fifth Test match. The visitors were behind 2-1 in the series going into the SCG Test after losing in Melbourne.

Interestingly, Jasprit Bumrah took over as captain when Rohit Sharma was removed from the playing XI. India suffered early as they batted first, with KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal all falling cheaply. After lunch, Rishabh Pant went to the crease to help steady the swaying vessel.

Reminiscent of Cheteshwar Pujara’s tenacity, Rishabh Pant faced the Australian bowling attack and suffered several body hits. Pant was hit by Starc’s short-pitched blows to the shoulder, helmet, and bicep. A crisp delivery hit his arm in the 35th over, hurting it instantly and necessitating on-field care.

Pant remained at the crease and carried on with his innings in spite of the pain. In addition to backcutting Nathan Lyon, he hit rookie Beau Webster for a six. He hit one six and three boundaries in his 40 off 98-ball innings. When Boland’s short-pitched delivery struck the batter’s toe end, Pat Cummins made an easy catch at short cover, ending Pant’s knock. India was in a dangerous position at 120/6 after his expulsion.

Check out Rishabh Pant’s grit here:

Rishabh Pant took a number of heavy hits to the body.#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/TdyJ1qhm9C

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2025

India was cheaply bowled out in the Sydney Test’s opening innings.

The tourist managed to score 185 runs in 72.2 overs before his innings ended. The only hitter from India to score more than 30 was Pant; Ravindra Jadeja’s 26 was the next best. Boland was the standout bowler for the Australians, taking four wickets, while Cummins and Starc each took five wickets.