Ricky Ponting, former Australian skipper was surprised that the Sydney pitch hadn’t deteriorated much even on Day 5 of the third Test on Monday and said that India wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant’s approach in the final innings of the match was the perfect one.
Most experts including former cricketers and commentators had earlier predicted that India would struggle in the fourth innings and said that scoring above 200 would be difficult on this pitch.
Ricky Ponting: Rishabh Pant’s Approach Perfect In The Prevailing Conditions
India, chasing a stiff old target of 407 to win the Sydney Test, etched out a draw after scoring 334/5 playing 131 overs with Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin scoring 23 and 39 runs and remaining unbeaten playing almost 300 balls between themselves. They forged a 62 run unbroken partnership playing about 45 overs.
Earlier, Rishabh Pant top-scored with 97 with 12 fours and 3 sixes and Cheteshwar Pujara scored 77 off 205 balls with 12 boundaries. Cheteshwar Pujara played a valiant innings scoring at a strike rate of 38 until he was dismissed by Josh Hazlewood.
So much for the prediction of India scoring under 200, this pitch hasn't deteriorated anywhere near what I was expecting. Like the way Rishabh Pant's playing, it's the perfect approach to take in these conditions. And now it's game on #AUSvIND
— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) January 11, 2021
Rishabh Pant played fantastic innings but missed out on his 3rd century by a whisker to keep India in the hunt for an improbable victory until India managed a draw in the final session of play in the Sydney Test. He also stitched together a crucial 148-run partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara, who displayed a different approach that Ricky Ponting has earlier been critical of.
Ricky Ponting: Rishabh Pant Has To Work Harder As He’s Dropped More Catches Than Any Other Keeper
Rishabh Pant has to work on his keeping skills according to Ricky Ponting. Just earlier this week, Ricky Ponting had been critical of Rishabh Pant for his wicket-keeping skills.
“I’ve said it all along, the knock on Rishabh is always going to be on his keeping. Since his debut in Test cricket, he’s dropped more catches than any other keeper in the world. That highlights he has got some work to do with his keeping,” Ricky Ponting stated.
Rishabh Pant had dropped debutant Will Pucovski twice – on 26 and 32 – but was lucky that the Australia opener didn’t go on to make a big score on a good batting track at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He scored 62 in 1st innings.