Indian wicket-keeper, Rishabh Pant is once again at the receiving end of immense flak from all corners on social media after dropping Australian opener, Will Pucovski twice on the opening day of the third Test of the series in Sydney.
Tim Paine won an important toss and opted to bat on a flat SCG track. India quickly got rid of David Warner, who was making his return to international cricket. The left-hander chased a Mohammed Siraj delivery wide outside the off-stump and edged it to Cheteshwar Pujara in slip.
Warner’s wicket was one of the only two moments the visitors could celebrate in a rain-curtailed day – the other one was at the departure of Will Pucovski. But not before the debutant notched his maiden Test fifty.
Pucovski, returning from a concussion injury, looked solid and every worth of the hype before the Test. However, he was given 3 reprieves by the Indians – two by Pant alone.

In the 22nd over, Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been on top of the Aussie batsmen in the series hitherto, could have had his first wicket of the match if not for Rishabh Pant’s drop. Ashwin drifted one outside the off-stump of Pucovski, on 26, which the youngster edged, however, Pant let the ball spill out of his gloves.
Three overs later, Pucovski, on 32, looking to pull a short ball from Siraj which brushed his glove as Rishabh Pant dived to take the catch – the ball once again popped out of his hand. He made another attempt to grab it and claimed the catch, however, on watching replays the third umpire observed the ball to touch the ground and asked the right-hander to continue to bat.
The debutant was given another life when he survived a runout. The 22-year-old made good use of the reprieves given to him by India as he registers his maiden fifty on Test debut before getting out to another debutant Navdeep Saini.
The right-hander even skipped down and took charge against Ashwin, who has dismissed him twice in the series. On the other end, Marnus Labuschagne continued to score runs notching his fifty as well. The hosts end Day 1 on top at the score of 166/2.
Here is how fans trolled Rishabh Pant on Twitter:
Saha to Pant when he came to wicket-keeping: pic.twitter.com/jNhe47NodO
— Ssrfan (@Ssrfan478780364) January 7, 2021
Pant paying his Bill. https://t.co/QMI070feOx
— The Falling Sweep π΅ (@thefallingsweep) January 7, 2021
Leaked images of Rishabh Pant's breakfast this morning.#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/piSauYTzH6
— bet365_aus (@bet365_aus) January 7, 2021
Rishabh pant finding a place in 4th test pic.twitter.com/LlRDtrpp7T
— Ssrfan (@Ssrfan478780364) January 7, 2021
Rishabh Pant was clearly upset over the violence on Capitol Hill
— Gappistan Radio (@GappistanRadio) January 7, 2021
Pant : Come on ashh!
Ashwin: pillodu uppulo unaduu oka catch ipidham.
Pant drops the catch
Again
Pant : come on ashh!
Ashwin: pic.twitter.com/NcB7ukz1KF— Naneeee (@NaniRahul0405) January 7, 2021
After dropping 2 catches Rishabh Pant : C'mon boys , C'mon boys.
Whole India π:#INDvsAUSTest #RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/KPf2Ye5NJ5— Alkash BaigπΎ (@AlkashBaig) January 7, 2021
Rishab Pant is a mediocre wicket keeper. He is nowhere near to the brilliancy of MSD or Class of Saha. If he is a flamboyant batsman use him in other formats. Test Match win is all about taking 20 wkts and this fellow is a game spoiler. Just too many catch drops. π#AUSvIND
— SKP KARUNA (@skpkaruna) January 7, 2021
How twitter reacts when Pant drops catches vs when Saha drops catches pic.twitter.com/yQ4ArNGewH
— Vinay (@Kattehaiklu) January 7, 2021
*Rishabh Pant drops two catches of Will Pucovski*
Wriddhiman Saha rn:#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/PdyEtm3Z9p
— π²ππ»ππΊπππ π¬ππππΎπππΎπΎ (@Subhajit_37) January 7, 2021
Saha Drops Tough Catch , Twitter reaction :- He is old , Waste , Remove him , Bring in Pant , He is not Saha but he is Haha
Pant Drops Tough Catch , Twitter reaction :- He is cute , He is naughty , Let me quote Cricviz . https://t.co/s1bLa8orzM
— Sai (@akakrcb6) January 7, 2021
Rishabh pant right now: pic.twitter.com/EpNly3qu5B
— Corona Warrior (@corona_warrior) January 7, 2021