Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant roared back to form with the bat as he scored a stunning century on Day 2 of the second practice match against Australia A in Sydney on Saturday.
Pant, who has been on the receiving end of criticism and trolling because of his poor performances in the past, gave a stunning performance to help India A take a 472-run lead over Australia-A at the end of Day 2.
At Stumps on Day 2, India are 386-4 and have a commanding lead of 472 runs over Australia A. pic.twitter.com/ucHallgFfx
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 12, 2020
The warm-up match kickstarted with Ajinkya Rahane winning the toss and electing to bat first. In the first innings, the Rahane led side managed to post a total of 194 on the scoreboard as Jasprit Bumrah scored his half-century. Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill also played a vital cameo and scored 40 and 43 runs respectively.
However, the team made a strong comeback and bowled Australian cricketers out for 108 runs on Day 1. Alex Carry, the wicketkeeper and skipper turned out to be the highest run-getter for hosts with 32 runs.
Talking about Day 2, team India put on an improved show against the lethal bowling attack of Australia A. Team India started off with the worst note as they lost their opener, Prithvi Shaw, in the second over with only 3 runs. However, Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal together scored a vital 104-run partnership for India. Followed by Ajinkya Rahane scoring 38 runs before going back to the pavilion.
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A cracking first-class century from @RishabhPant17 in just 73 balls at the SCG. He smashes 22 off the final over to bring up his 100.
9×4 6×6. BOOM. pic.twitter.com/Mg3M1WBYlg
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 12, 2020
However, it was the stunning performance from middle-order batsman Hanuma Vihari and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant that stole the show. Both the cricketers put on a show at the SCG as they launched an assault on Australian bowlers by scoring an unbeaten 147-run stand. While Hanuman Vihari played a classic knock and scored 104* runs off 194 balls, on the other hand, Rishabh Pant took the game by storm as he scored a century off just 73 balls, hitting 9 fours and 6 sixes.
Meanwhile, social media was flooded with amazing reactions from the fans. From cricketers to fans and experts, everyone took to their Twitter to praise the amazing knock of Rishabh Pant.
Here, check out the reactions of Twitterati on this:
100 for @RishabhPant17 and the debate will start again. This is what you love about the build up to a high intensity test series.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) December 12, 2020
PANT PANT PANT – so happy for you @RishabhPant17 you deserve to be in the 11
— Parth Jindal (@ParthJindal11) December 12, 2020
103* in 73 balls. 22 runs of the last over to get to the ton. Missed this belligerent batting, Pant!
Played @RishabhPant17!
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) December 12, 2020
In reply of Saha congratulating Kohli for wedding anniversary, Rishabh Pant giving fight with a 73-ball hundred for wicket-keeping spot.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) December 12, 2020
Rishabh Pant was 81*(67) before the final over then 0,4,4,6,4,4 and completed hundred from just 73 balls including 9 fours & 6 sixes. What a knock, serious serious player. pic.twitter.com/c6BQZ1oGUo
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 12, 2020
Rishabh Pant is seriously a gun talent, ending the day for India with 22 runs in final over and completed his century in just 73 balls. He’s absolute gold hitter of the cricket ball while being in form.@mohsinaliisb @razi_haider
— JAGDEEP SAINI (@sunnyjagdeep) December 12, 2020
73 ball 100 for Rishabh Pant.
Top innings from him ?
With 9 fours & 6 sixesKeep it up champ @RishabhPant17 ?
#AUSAvIND pic.twitter.com/hexh8tOY7D
— Akshaj Singh ?? (@akshajranu22) December 12, 2020
Rishabh Pant has the potential to become someone like Adam Gilchrist for Indian cricket in Test matches.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 12, 2020
Saha after watching the batting of Rishabh Pant #INDvsAUSA pic.twitter.com/lPNUYdUWij
— Anushmita⁷ (@anushmita7) December 12, 2020
Top fifty from Rishabh Pant, it came in just 43 balls. Making a brilliant partnership with Hanuma Vihari, good to see him in form.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 12, 2020
The legend of Rishabh Pant continues to grow in Australia. Smashes 22 runs off the last 5 balls (4, 4, 6, 4, 4 to go from 81 to 103) of the day to bring up a rather remarkable century. “Only Gilchrist could have done that,” say those who stayed back at the @scg #AUSvIND #AusAvIND pic.twitter.com/tyOZiwqKPX
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 12, 2020
? For @RishabhPant17
Rishabh Pant completed his century in superb style with 4 fours and 1 six in the last over of the day. Pant completed his century in only 73 balls….#AUSAvIND@BCCI pic.twitter.com/8wXmCl2pXO— Yogesh Madke (@iamyogesh_07) December 12, 2020
Rishabh pant going for six with 3 players at boundary in a practice Match while Playing for his spot is the stuff I want to see ??
— Rahul (@Ittzz_Rahul) December 12, 2020
After scoring 73 balls century in test match practice game
Rishabh Pant :- pic.twitter.com/O8zZhgqgAV
— दीपक कुमार नागर ?? (@dkndeep) December 12, 2020
What a brilliant ? from the pocket dynamite Rishabh Pant.
Guess he’ll carry this confidence and form into the test series. Hard luck to Wriddhiman Saha though. Good luck to Pant. ????#AUSAvIND #AUSvIND @RishabhPant17 @Wriddhipops
— T#€ ??? Gu¥ (@SarkarSpeaking) December 12, 2020
Rishabh pant is Rare talent so please team India handle smartly. @imVkohli @vikrantgupta73 @msdhoni @mipaltan @BCCI @ICC @RaviShastriOfc @SGanguly99 #INDvsAUSA pic.twitter.com/EaiJVABRMJ
— Mr.Apsarkhan9929 (@apsarkhan9929) December 12, 2020
