'One Of The Best Counter Attacking Day 5 Knock': Twitter Hails Rishabh Pant For Heroic Knock Of 97

Rishabh Pant, on Monday, played one of his finest knocks in international cricket, scoring a heroic 97 on the fifth and final day of the ongoing third Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Starting the day on 98 for 2 in pursuit of an improbable 407, India were off to a disastrous start as they could add only four runs before their skipper Ajinkya Rahane was sent back by Nathan Lyon.

Rishabh Pant then took charge of the innings in the company of Cheteshwar Pujara, helping India score more than 100 runs in the morning session. Not very long ago, there were doubts that the wicketkeeper-batsman might not even bat in the game after coping a nasty blow on his left elbow while batting in the first innings of the match.

But Rishabh Pant bravely came out to bat and turned the game on its head. The southpaw started in an uncharacteristic manner, scoring only 7 off 36 balls before switching gears. He found his groove and raced away to 50 off just 64 balls. Rishabh Pant kept the scoreboard ticking with singles, boundaries and even clobbered off-spinner Nathan Lyon for back-to-back boundaries including a six over long on.

He hit the Australia spin spearhead for two more sixes as he took the attack to the hosts. Rishabh Pant was looking comfortable against the Australian bowlers and was looking set for his second Test century in Australia and at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He needed three more runs to score his ton but perished while trying to hit Lyon for a big shot. Rishabh Pant’s 97 run knock came off just 118 balls and was studded with 12 fours and 3 sixes.

Here are some of the reactions to Rishabh Pant’s heroic knock:

Well played brother ! ?❤️ https://t.co/XCMcSUvCjN

— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) January 11, 2021

He may not have got his ? but @RishabhPant17 can be very proud at the way he batted. Got India back into the game with his aggressive stroke play. Well done young man. #AUSvIND

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 11, 2021

"A ship in the harbour is safe. But that's not what ships are built for." Rishabh Pant

— Dan Colasimone (@DanColasimone) January 11, 2021

Pant batting, I will always turn the TV on. Great innings comes to an end. A 100 was deserved. #INDvAUS #cricket

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) January 11, 2021

Special knock that by Pant.#AUSvsIND

— Jason Gillespie ? (@dizzy259) January 11, 2021

What a knock. Keeper or not, I’d pick Pant! #AUSvIND #gameon

— Tim Macdonald (@timmacs) January 11, 2021

What a knock @RishabhPant17 – be proud of what you have done – that is one of the best counter attacking day 5 knocks by an Indian in the history of test cricket. Come on @cheteshwar1 and @Hanumavihari

— Parth Jindal (@ParthJindal11) January 11, 2021

पंत भला तो सब भला.
Wasn’t a century but what a helluva knock under pressure…fought the odds and the injury. #RishabhPant #AusvInd

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 11, 2021

Missed out on a 100 ? but @RishabhPant17 has shown India the way. They’ve got to believe that they can #IndvsAus

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) January 11, 2021

Pant-astic batting display #brutal #AUSvIND @RishabhPant17 WE CAN ?

— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) January 11, 2021

Great knock from Pant ? https://t.co/HHfOTAM9jh

— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) January 11, 2021

The century wasn't to be. But it is easily Pant's best test innings. You can't fault him the shot because it was many of those that offered a glimmer of victory when none believed it was possible.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 11, 2021

Also Read: Rishabh Pant Will Bat On Day Five Of SCG Test: Ravichandran Ashwin

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