Australia vs India: Rishabh Pant sweats it out hard ahead of Boxing Day Test at Melbourne

India had a horrific outing against Australia during the first pink-ball Test in Adelaide. The side stumbled embarrassingly to register its all-time lowest in the history of Test cricket. It is expected that some changes will be made in India’s squad ahead of its Boxing Day Test starting in Melbourne on December 26. One such name is wicketkeeping- batsman Rishabh Pant who might be roped in the playing XI of the 2nd Test.

Pant has been undergoing a lot of fitness issues wherein experts stated that he needs to level up his fitness before stepping into the playing squad. In the latest turn of events, Pant was seen doing squats with the dumbbell in his hands. It looks like the 23-year-old has been involved in strenuous gym sessions to gear up for the upcoming high profile Test.

Rishabh Pant exerts well in the gym

The young wicketkeeper is likely to replace seasoned Wriddhiman Saha for the Boxing Day Test as Saha had a forgettable outing in both the innings of the first Test. Also, Pant impressed people well enough when he came up with a century in the practice match against Australia A-side. It would be a thing to see whether Pant makes in the squad or not.

His fitness has always been a concern for team India. Even during the IPL 2020 times when selection for the Australia squad was on, several experts and commentators pointed fingers at his fitness levels. Back then, even Tom Moody slammed him for woeful fitness standards.

Pant’s condition was not in a place it needed to be in: Tom Moody

“I think one of the things that have derailed IPL to this point is because of how he (Pant) arrived at the IPL. From my understanding, his condition was not in a place it needed to be in. I respect the fact that everyone has been in lockdown and there have been challenges around that, but to me, there is no excuse. Absolutely, no excuse. We are not playing in the 80s or the 70s,” said Tom Moody as quoted by ESPNcrininfo back during IPL 2020.