Rishabh Pant talks about facing challenges on tough Sydney wicket

Rishabh Pant, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter, opened up about the physical toll he faced during India’s first innings on the opening day of the Sydney Test against Australia on January 3. Pant, who scored a gritty 40 off 98 balls, was the top scorer for India in their first innings.

Despite being asked to bat first, India’s top-order was quickly dismantled by Australia’s pace attack. Pant, alongside Ravindra Jadeja, was tasked with stabilizing the innings. The pair managed to guide India to the second break without further loss of wickets. 

Pant's resilience was evident throughout his innings as he weathered multiple blows, including a painful strike to his bicep from a 140kph delivery by Mitchell Starc. Speaking after his innings, Pant admitted it was the first time he had been struck so many times in a single innings.

“I think this is the first time I’ve gotten hit this much. But in cricket, you can’t plan anything. Everything happens for the first time at some point in your career,” Pant said. “It’s painful, but sometimes you have to do the hard work for the team, and that’s okay. I’m not thinking about where I got hit. I’m just focusing on playing the ball to the best of my ability,” he added.

Pant’s departure, following a dismissal by Scott Boland’s back-of-a-length delivery, set off a collapse for India, and the team was eventually bowled out for 185 in the final session.

Reflecting on the pitch conditions, Pant described Sydney’s wicket as challenging for the batters. “It was a tough pitch. The ball was doing a lot off the wicket, especially towards the end of the second session,” he said. “But as a cricketer, you have to adjust to the conditions and make the most of them. I wouldn’t say our total is par, but it’s a competitive score, especially with the way the ball is moving. Hopefully, we can capitalize on it,” he further added. 

Pant also praised Australia’s Scott Boland, who finished with a four-wicket haul, describing him as an excellent bowler. "He’s been an amazing bowler. The way he bowls line and length, especially in Test cricket, is quite difficult,” Pant noted. “He’s so used to playing in these conditions that it doesn’t feel like he’s new to international cricket. But as international cricketers, we have to find ways to tackle good bowlers like him," he further noted. 

With the ball still offering assistance to the bowlers, India will be hoping to make use of the conditions and put pressure on Australia in the second innings.