Rishabh Pant delivers fitness update after body blows at SCG, addresses Jasprit Bumrah-Sam Konstas fight

After the end of dramatic Day 1 of the ongoing New Year’s Test between India and Australia, Rishabh Pant shared an update on his fitness and opened up about the fight between Jasprit Bumrah and Sam Konstas on Friday (January 3) at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney.

The opening day of the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) was packed with thrilling moments and heated exchanges. One of the most intense scenes unfolded when the Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah, known for his composure, lost his cool on the 19-year-old Sam Konstas.

Rishabh Pant reflects on Jasprit Bumrah-Sam Konstas faceoff in Sydney Test

The real drama began when Australian opener Usman Khawaja delayed Bumrah’s delivery by signaling that he wasn’t ready, just as the bowler began his run-up. The situation escalated when the Australian opener Sam Konstas, who has been at the center of controversies since his Test debut, stepped in unnecessarily, gesturing for India’s premier pacer to stop.

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This unnecessary intervention sparked a confrontation, with Jasprit Bumrah furiously approaching Sam Konstas and asking the problem. The umpire quickly intervened to separate the players. However, the Indian pacer let his bowling do the talking at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney.

On the very next delivery, Jasprit Bumrah delivered a full-length ball that forced an edge from Usman Khawaja, with KL Rahul making no mistake in the slips. Instead of celebrating the wicket, Bumrah fixed Konstas with a cold, piercing stare, making his point without a single word.

Australians wanted to waste some time: Rishabh Pant on Day 1 drama

Now, reacting to the fiery exchange at the SCG, Rishabh Pant said that Konstas was trying to waste time by engaging Bumrah in conversation to avoid another over being bowled before the end of Day 1. Pant said that he didn't hear the exact words, but felt the intent was simply to delay play.

Rishabh Pant told the media at the post-match press conference after the end of Day 1: “Yeah, just before stumps. I think they had a little chit-chat; they wanted to waste some time. I feel that's the reason Sam had a conversation with Jassi, he said something, I didn't hear. But I feel that's the only thing that he wanted to do, to just wait some time so we don't bowl one more over.”

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Sometimes you have to do the hard work for the team: Rishabh Pant

Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant has himself endured some brutal blows, including on his arms, hands, and helmet, in the ongoing final BGT 2024-25 Test against Australia in Sydney. However, Pant acknowledged the pain from the blows he's taken but emphasized the importance of putting the team's needs first in the ongoing Test match.

The left-handed batter said that he was focused on playing the ball to the best of his ability, not dwelling on where he was hit, stressing that hard work for the team was his priority as the SCG Test is a do-or-die clash for Team India.

Pant signed off by saying, “I mean, definitely it's painful, but you know, sometimes you have to do the hard work for the team, and that's okay. Not thinking about where I got hit, but just playing the ball to the best of my abilities. That's the only thing I can do. And that's what I did.”