Following the conclusion of the dramatic Day 1 of the ongoing New Year's Test between India and Australia, Rishabh Pant shared an update on his fitness and spoke about the battle between Jasprit Bumrah and Sam Konstas on Friday (January 3) at the iconic cricket ground in Sydney. (SCG) from Sydney.
The opening day of the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) was full of thrilling moments and heated exchanges. One of the most intense scenes unfolded when Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah, known for his composure, lost his cool against 19-year-old Sam Konstas.
Rishabh Pant reflects on the Jasprit Bumrah-Sam Konstas clash in the Sydney Test
The real drama began when Australian opener Usman Khawaja delayed Bumrah's delivery, signaling that he was not ready, just as the bowler began his run-up. The situation escalated when Australian opener Sam Konstas, who has been at the center of controversy since his Test debut, unnecessarily intervened, signaling India's top pacer to stop.
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This unnecessary intervention sparked a confrontation, with Jasprit Bumrah angrily walking up to Sam Konstas and raising the issue. The referee quickly intervened to separate the players. However, the Indian pacer let his bowling do the talking at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney.
On the next delivery, Jasprit Bumrah bowled a full length ball that forced an edge from Usman Khawaja with KL Rahul making no mistake in the slips. Instead of celebrating the wicket, Bumrah fixed Konstas with a cold, piercing gaze, making his point without a single word.
Aussies wanted to waste some time: Rishabh Pant in Day 1 drama
Now, reacting to the exchange of fire at the SCG, Rishabh Pant said that Konstas tried to waste time by engaging Bumrah in a conversation to avoid another bowler before the end of Day 1. Pant said that he didn't hear the exact words. , but felt the intention was simply to delay the game.
Rishabh Pant told the media at the post-match press conference after the end of Day 1, “Yes, right before the stumps. I think they had a little talk; they wanted to waste some time. I feel like that's why Sam had a conversation with Jassi, he said something, I didn't hear. But I feel like that's the only thing he wanted to do, to wait a while so we don't run into one again.”
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Sometimes you have to do the hard work for the team: Rishabh Pant
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant endured some brutal blows himself, including on the arms, hands and helmet, in the ongoing BGT 2024-25 final Test against Australia in Sydney. However, Pant acknowledged the pain from the knocks he received but stressed the importance of putting the team's needs first in the ongoing Test match.
The left-handed batsman said he concentrated on playing the ball as well as possible without getting used to where he was hit, stressing that working hard for the team was his priority as the SCG Test is a do-or-die. clash for team India.
Pant signed off, “I mean, it's definitely painful, but you know, sometimes you have to do the hard work for the team and that's okay. I don't think about where I got hit, just playing the ball as well as I can. That's the only thing I can do. And that's what I did.”