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

The fifth Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25) at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) witnessed wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant take multiple blows on his body for the nation. The visitors who entered the SCG Test following a defeat in Melbourne were trailing 2-1 in the series.

Notably, Rohit Sharma dropped himself from the playing XI with Jasprit Bumrah taking up the captaincy duties. Batting first, India struggled early, with KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill falling cheaply. Rishabh Pant walked to the crease after lunch to steady the wobbling ship.

Rishabh Pant took on the Australian bowling attack and absorbed multiple body blows, reminiscent of Cheteshwar Pujara’s determination. Starc’s short-pitched deliveries struck Pant on the bicep, helmet, and shoulder. In the 35th over a sharp delivery struck his arm, causing immediate bruising and requiring on-field treatment.

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Despite the discomfort, Pant stayed at the crease and continued his innings. He smashed the debutant Beau Webster for a six and executed a backcut off Nathan Lyon. His innings of 40 off 98 balls included three boundaries and one six. Pant’s knock came to an end against Boland, whose short-pitched delivery hit the batter's toe end giving Pat Cummins an easy catch at short cover. His dismissal left India precariously placed at 120/6.

Check out Rishabh Pant's grit here:

India bowled out cheaply in first innings of Sydney Test

The tourist's innings came to an end after 72.2 overs and managing to put 185 runs on the board. Pant was India's only batter to score more than 30, with next best being Ravindra Jadeja's 26.  For the Aussies, Boland was the pick of the bowlers, claiming a four-wicket haul, along with Starc and Cummins sharing five wickets between them.