Rishabh Pant equals MS Dhoni’s record of most catches in a Test innings

Rishabh Pant has made a fine start to his Test career in Australia. The youngster, tipped by many to replace the legendary MS Dhoni, did not have the best of the outings with the bat in the series opener. Known for his ultra-aggressive approach, Pant went for the big shots right from the time he walked on to bat. India were reeling at 87 for 4 when Pant walked in.

Although the situation demanded a more composed inning from Pant, he decided against it and went for his natural game. Not surprisingly, he did not last long in conditions which are not very much familiar to him. He hit a couple of four and a maximum before edging a Nathan Lyon delivery to Tim Paine behind the stumps.

Well, the youngster made up for his poor batting display with an impressive show in the wicketkeeping gloves. In doing so, he equalled one of the feats of his illustrious predecessor MS Dhoni. Pant equalled Dhoni’s record of most catches by an Indian wicketkeeper in a Test innings by taking six catches. The veteran had achieved the feat way back in 2009 during the Wellington Test against New Zealand.

Pant’s first dismissal was Usman Khawaja before the youngster accounted for Peter Handscomb, Tim Paine, Mitchell Starc, Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood.

First Test finely poised

India, meanwhile, bowled out Australia for 235 to take a slender 15-run lead, thus leaving the series-opener in Adelaide finely poised. The hosts had started the proceedings on day two on 191 for 7, still trailing India’s modest 250 by 59 runs. Travis Head, unbeaten on 61, took guard with Mitchell Starc.

The match began after a 45-minute delay due to rain. However, India did not take long to get the first breakthrough. Jasprit Bumrah made Starc edge one behind the stumps to reduce the hosts to 204 for 8. Head and Nathan Lyon then threatened to wipe off the deficit before Mohammed Shami made sure it does not happen. The India pacer first dismissed Head for 72 to end the 31-run stand before accounting for Hazlewood on the following delivery.

~Written by Bijoy

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