This is not a par score: Rishabh Pant

India cricket team wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who scored a 98-ball 40 (3x4s, 1x6) in India’s first innings during the fifth and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, admitted that India fell short of the par score.

India were bowled out for 185 while Australia went to stumps at nine for one.

“I would not say it is a par score. Anything around 220 to 250 would be a par score [on this surface]. But still a very competitive score because the way the ball is moving now, there is a lot of help for the bowlers and hopefully we can capitalise on it,” said Pant after the end of the day’s play.  

The left-handed batsman had to curb his instincts and bat very cautiously. He took multiple blows on his body from the bowlers.  

“This is the first time I have got hit on the body so much… [but] not thinking too much about it. I wasn’t thinking of taking the charge [to the bowlers] as the pitch was doing too much and with the kind of situation we were in, I realised I could play a bit of defensive cricket,” he said further.

“Initial bit [of the innings] it was difficult, when you see the ball you want to hit, but sometimes you have to play sensible cricket. There were 50-50 opportunities I could have taken earlier. [But] Sometimes you have to play more secure cricket. Because I thought if you lose a wicket, you may lose 2-3 quickly.”

Pant also accused the Australians for wasting towards the end of the day that culminated in a heated exchange between India skipper Jasprit Bumrah and Australia youngster Sam Konstas. 

"I feel they had a little chitchat. They wanted to waste some time. I feel that is the reason he had a conversation with Jassi. He said something. I didn't hear it. But I feel that's the only thing which he wanted to do, just  waste time so that we don't bowl one more over.”

Tags : Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, Sam Konstas, India cricket team, Australia, Sydney