Rishabh Pant, scored his second Test hundred and became the first Indian wicket-keeper to do so, on the second day of the fourth and last match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.
Pant who will be remembered in context of the 4-match Test series against Australia for his chirps behind the stumps, let the bat do all the talking on day 2 in Sydney.
Pant whose previous best in the series was 39 that he scored in the Melbourne Test, came out all guns blazing on Friday. Pant took the attack to the Australian bowlers as he kept dancing down the pitch to hit the Australian spinners over the infield for boundaries and runs.
Before the start of play Pant was helped by Virat Kohli, as the Indian skipper gave the keeper a few throw downs.
Kohli to Pant – Just helping out his mate go through the drills #TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/BkCvdpqAsl
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 3, 2019
Pant even inspired the Indian fans to sign his name from the stands in a special chant.
“We’ve got Pant… Rishab Pant… I just don’t think you’ll understand… He’ll hit you for a six… He’ll babysit your kids… We’ve got Rishab Pant”
– The Bharat Army
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsMUo2Qn8qm/?utm_source=ig_embed
Pant has been involved in a banter fest with his opposite number from the Australian team, Tim Paine. The Australian captain has had plenty to say to Indian batsmen in the ongoing Test series. Not one to take a backward step, Pant has also given it back to the Australians.
In Perth, Paine provoked Pant with a dig that was caught on the stump microphone: “Tell you what big MS is back in the one-day squad. Should get this bloke down to Hurricanes… They need a batter. “Fancy that extend you Aussie holiday, beautiful town Hobart too… get him a waterfront apartment. Have him over for dinner.
“Do you babysit? I can take my wife to the movies while you watch the kids.”
Sure enough days later, Pant accepted the challenge and was photographed with Tim Paine’s wife and their two kids. The Indian and Australian cricket teams had been invited to the Australian Prime Minister’s house on January 1.
