Rishabh Pant, Cheteshwar Pujara steady India in Sydney Test vs Australia after Ajinkya Rahane dismissal

Rishabh Pant and Cheteshwar Pujara have fond memories of the Sydney Cricket Ground. It was in the 2019 Test that Rishabh Pant blasted 159 and registered the highest-ever score for an Indian wicketkeeper in overseas Tests. His partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara helped India become the first Asian nation to win a series in Australia. Two years later, during the 2021 Sydney Test, both Rishabh Pant and Cheteshwar Pujara stitched another solid stand as India looked to stay in the contest against Australia following the early dismissal of their skipper Ajinkya Rahane on day 3 of the Sydney Test. At lunch on the third day, Rishabh Pant and Cheteshwar Pujara had helped India reach 180/4, trailing Australia by 158 runs.

The partnership was crucial for India after they had made a slow start to the morning session with Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane intent on wearing the Australian cricket team down by dour defence. Ajinkya Rahane set the ball rolling when he creamed a boundary off Mitchell Starc. The Indian cricket team skipper though had some luck as he was dropped by Matthew Wade at short leg off the bowling of Nathan Lyon. However, Ajinkya Rahane could not capitalise and he was dismissed for 22 by Pat Cummins as he dragged a short ball back onto the stumps.

Pant, Pujara key

Cheteshwar Pujara scored a boundary after having played 100 balls and he followed it up with another four off Nathan Lyon. Hanuma Vihari was also looking to employ the Cheteshwar Pujara style of dour defence but he needlessly gifted his wicket away as Josh Hazlewood scored a direct hit at the bowler’s end.

That brought in Rishabh Pant and he looked to create a saga of redemption after his two dropped chances of Will Pucovski on day 1 and day 2. Rishabh Pant looked in good form and he confidently tackled the left-arm pace of Mitchell Starc. Pujara neared his fifty with another boundary and the duo ensured there were no alarms before lunch.

Pant and Pujara will be determined to recreate their magic of 2019 as India look to retain the Border-Gasvaskar trophy. The four-match series is level 1-1 currently.