Team India batter wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant said he took a more restrained approach in the first innings of the fifth and final Test match against Australia. Rishabh Pant said the pitch conditions at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) did not allow him to play in his usual aggressive style.
jasprit bumrah elected to bat first after winning the toss in Sydney on Friday, January 3. Pant came to the crease as the team collapsed to 57/3. The left-handed batsman adjusted his approach according to the conditions. He also took several body blows from the pacers before being dismissed for 40.
I could have taken 50-50 chances but no – Rishabh Pant
Speaking at the post-match press conference on Day 1, Rishabh Pant, who was criticized for his performance in Melbourne, said that the pitch conditions at the SCG did not allow him to play aggressively. He added that there were times when he could have taken risks but chose to play it safe.
“I think in that innings, I wasn't in a frame of mind where I wanted to take charge of the game because the wicket was doing too much and the situation we were in. While I was playing, I felt like I could play a little bit. of defensive cricket,” said Pant.
“Yes, there is a time to attack, but you have to feel it from the inside. I can't just premeditate how I'm going to play. Whatever the game calls for that day, that's what I try to do.”
“That was my mindset. I think it's not very difficult, although the initial part can be challenging when you see a ball that you can hit. But sometimes, you have to play cricket more sensibly. There might have been a 50-50 chance that I could. they took it at the beginning of this half”.
Trying to keep a balance between attack and defense – Rishabh Pant
The 27-year-old admitted he is working on finding the right balance between attack and defence. Pant also admitted that batsmen often think too much when they are not performing well.
“I think mostly you want to support the way you've played the game, but at the end of the day, you've got to keep improving. I feel there is no one way to play cricket. Whatever comes naturally is always better, but you have to find that balance between playing aggressive cricket and being selective with your shots.
That's what I try to do – make the most of my style while keeping it simple. Not overthinking is key because when you don't have the best tournaments, overthinking can take over. I just try to keep things simple and give 200% on the court.”
Not sure what good score is on this piece – Beau Webster
Australian debutant Beau Webster agreed with Rishabh Pant's assessment of the pitch. Webster pointed out that the Indian batsmen focused on making the Australian bowlers work hard through extended bowling.
“They (Indian batsmen) decided to bat and made us bowl a lot of overs. Not sure what a good score on this track but we would have batted first if they had won the toss,” he Webster said.
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