'First time I got hit so much...' - Rishabh Pant opens up on taking blows to his body during Day 1 of SCG Test

Star India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been struggling with a poor run of form against Australia in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He has been facing a lot of trouble against the Aussie bowlers. On some occasions, his dismissals have also drawn multiple opinions from former cricketers, experts, and cricket fans.

The batter also faced blows on his body on day 1 of the ongoing fifth and last Test of the series in Sydney. Eventually, he was dismissed in a short-ball bowled by Scott Boland and caught by the Aussie skipper Pat Cummins. 

Furthermore, Rishabh also spoke about his experience of facing blows against the hosts on the opening day of the Sydney Test.

“First time I got hit so much in my career but sometimes you have to, that was me today not overthinking,” Rishabh Pant was quoted by Sports Express after the end of day 1 in the ongoing Sydney Test.

The reason why I got upset was that ego took over him – Sunil Gavaskar on Rishabh Pant

Speaking of Rishabh Pant’s struggles in the other games of the series; he has scored only 194 runs in eight innings, with a dismal batting average of 24.25, without even scoring a half-century. Pant had also faced bold and blunt criticism for his batting approach, from the former legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar during his commentary stint at ABC Radio.

“Honestly, this game has made me. Indian cricket has made me. So, when I saw somebody as talented as Rishabh Pant play that shot ....and I had no problems with the first shot he played. The reason why I got upset was that ego took over for the next ball. I've just been hit in the midriff attempting a similar shot. I'm gonna show the bowler who's the boss. Test cricket is not easy,” Gavaskar had said.

“When he got out and got out at the other end ...and I was always saying that they have got two fielders there in the deep. And this is a big ground it's not easy to hit the sixes. You've got the fielders in the catching position. Deep square leg and deep fine leg. But when he got caught at the third man with the edge. I've seen him play some fabulous innings, Rishabh Pant. But here in Australia, I get the impression he thinks that's the only way he's going to score runs here. He's stepping down the pitch and lofting the ball and getting a boundary,” he added later.