After the end of the dramatic first day of the ongoing New Year's Test between India and Australia, Rishabh Pant He shared an update on his fitness and talked about their fight Jasprit Bumrah and Konstas himself on Friday (January 3) at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney.
The opening day of the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) was full of exciting moments and heated exchanges. One of the most powerful scenes occurred when Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah, known for his composure, lost his nerve in front of 19-year-old Sam Constas.
Rishabh Pant is considering facing Jasprit Bumrah and Sam Konstas in the Sydney Test
The real drama began when Usman Khawaja, in the Australian opener, delayed Bumrah's delivery by signaling that he was not ready, just as the bowler took a run. The situation escalated when Australian opener Sam Konstas, who had been at the center of controversy since his Test debut, unnecessarily intervened, signaling to India's premier pacer to stop.
This unnecessary interference sparked a confrontation, with Jasprit Bumrah getting very close to Sam Konstas and asking him what the problem was. 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.
In the next delivery, Jasprit Bumrah sent a full-length ball that forced Usman Khawaja to edge, and KL Rahul made no mistake in the slips. Instead of celebrating the wicket, Bumrah pinned Konstas with a cold, penetrating stare, making his point without a word.
The Aussies wanted to waste some time: Rishabh Pant in first-day drama
Now, reacting to the fiery exchange at the SCG, Rishabh Pant said that Konstas was trying to waste time by bringing Bumrah into the conversation to avoid another bowler before the end of the first day. Pant said he did not hear the exact words but felt the intent was simply to delay play.
“Yes, just before stumps. I think they had a little chat. They wanted to waste some time. I feel that's why Sam had a conversation with Jassi, he said something,” Rishabh Pant told the media in the post-match press conference after the end of day one. I didn't hear him but I feel like that's the only thing he wanted to do, was to wait a while so we wouldn't get another attack.
Also Read: Scott Boland leaks Australia's plan to make Virat Kohli's life hell in BGT
Sometimes you have to do the hard work for the team: Rishabh Pant
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant himself took some brutal hits, including on his arms, hands and helmet, in the ongoing BGT 2024-25 final Test against Australia in Sydney. However, Pant acknowledged the pain caused by the blows he received but emphasized the importance of putting the team's needs first in the ongoing Test match.
The left-handed batsman said he was focusing on playing the ball to the best of his ability, and was not focused on where he was hit, stressing that working hard for the team was his priority as the SCG Test is a do or die affair. Clash for Team India.
Pant signed off by saying: “I mean, it definitely hurts, 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, but just play the ball to the best of my ability.” This is the only thing I can do and that's what I did.
