Rishabh Pant, Indian wicket-keeper batsman has set a unique batting record in Australia by becoming the first visiting batsman to score over 25 runs in nine consecutive innings.
Rishabh Pant went past Wally Hammond (England), Rusi Surti (India) and Viv Richards (West Indies), who scored 25+ runs in eight consecutive innings.
Rishabh Pant Crosses 400 Run Mark In Australia
During the third day’s play in the ongoing third Test between India and Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground, Rishabh Pant surpassed another milestone as he crossed the 400-run mark in the country. Playing his ninth innings in Australia, he now averages over 58 in the country. His only century in Australia (159*) came during the Sydney Test of 2019 in the historic maiden Test series win in Australia.
The wicket-keeper walked in to bat at 142/4 after the run out of Hanuma Vihari and immediately counterattacked. He was hit on his elbow by a bumper, and post that blow, he did not look comfortable. The youngster departed in the 88th over for a 67-ball 36, with four fours to his name.
Rishabh Pant Dropped Two Catches Which Should Have Been Taken: Ricky Ponting
Overlooked for the first Test at Adelaide Oval, Rishabh Pant replaced Wriddhiman Saha for the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne after India registered lowest ever score of 36 in Adelaide. He contributed in India’s win by scoring a vital 29 in the first innings, a knock that played a small part in India’s memorable win at the venue.
However, the southpaw has been under fire and criticism for his shoddy glovework. Earlier in the ongoing Sydney Test, he dropped Will Puckovski twice as the debutant went on to register his maiden fifty.
Australian legend Ricky Ponting, who is also incidentally Rishabh Pant’s coach at Delhi Capitals (DC) in the IPL, criticized the southpaw for his wicketkeeping, stating that no keeper has dropped as many catches since his debut.
“The one’s (dropped catches) today are two that should be taken, simple as that. It’s probably lucky for Rishabh that Pucovski didn’t go on and make a big hundred or a double hundred and looking at the wicket, it looks like an unbelievable surface,” Ricky Ponting told cricket.com.au.
India were dismissed for 244 in reply to Australia’s 338. Australia are 81/2 in 2nd innings. Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja were hit while batting on the 3rd day of Sydney Test and were subsequently taken for scans to determine the nature of the injury. While Rishabh Pant was hit on the left elbow, Ravindra Jadeja was hit on the left thumb but both of them batted with a bandage.