There were a handful of bright spots in what was a disappointing batting performance by India on the opening day of the first Test against Australia in Perth. The most memorable of those moments was Rishabh Pant hitting Australian skipper Pat Cummins for his trademark “no-look” six during his knock of 37 off 78 deliveries.
Pant, who had once reverse-swept the legendary James Anderson for a four, struck the Aussie captain for a maximum in the final delivery of the 42nd over, clearing the fine leg fence in the process. The wicketkeeper-batter, known for his wide range of unorthodox shots, lost his balance and was lying flat on his back after the hit.
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Pant, however, would depart shortly after the six, with Cummins having the last laugh by having the 27-year-old caught by Steve Smith at second slip, ending his seventh-wicket partnership with debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy that was worth 38.
Harshit Rana, who received his maiden cap along with Reddy earlier in the day , was the next to depart, becoming the latest Indian batter to fall prey to a thick outside edge to the slip/gully region and becoming the third of the four batters dismissed by Josh Hazlewood on Friday.
Nathan McSweeney, debuting for the Aussies, pulled off a brilliant piece of fielding at gully that allowed Marnus Labuschagne to complete a stunning catch on the rebound.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsReddy would hang around a bit longer and top-score for the visitors before becoming the last Indian batter to be dismissed as the visitors were bundled out for 150 after stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah opted to bat.
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