New Delhi: After remarkably holding himself back for 103 deliveries, Rishabh Pant finally lost his patience and attacked Travis Head Unfortunately for him, his first attacking shot led to his dismissal and opened the doors for Australia in the ongoing Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
On a normal day, Pant would have slaughtered Head, a part-time spinner, but the left-hander adopted a risk-free approach to raise India’s hopes of securing a draw in chase of an improbable 340-run target.
After batting out the second session along with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Pant’s natural instincts took over his cautious approach. The wicket-keeper batter launched an attacking shot just four overs after Tea but failed to clear the rope as Australia’s ploy to start with Head to lure Pant worked brilliantly.
Pant falls into the trap
Pant was lured into a pull shot on the back of a length ball, which was not as short as he thought. Pant failed to get under it and as a result, didn’t get the placement where he wanted and was caught at long-on by Mitchell Marsh.
It was a massive wicket for Australia as the 88-run stand between Pant and Jaiswal was finally broken. Pant’s dismissal opened the doors for Australia, who went wicketless in the second session.
Head immensely enjoyed the wicket and broke into a unique celebration.
Travis Head gets Rishabh Pant and pulls out a unique celebration 👀#AUSvIND | #PlayOfTheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/EVvcmaiFv7
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 30, 2024
Head’s celebration confused the Indian fans, who started wondering what it meant. The video of Head’s dismissal sparked a memefest on social media.
What does this mean? pic.twitter.com/qAfMHjm7hb
— Drinks Break (@DrinksBreak19) December 30, 2024
What does that sign means. What is Travis Head doing?
— Nirmal Roy (@nroy11) December 30, 2024
Love to hear Gavaskar comments on this.
— CRICKET ICONIC QUOTES (@quoteofgoats) December 30, 2024
What’s this celebration pic.twitter.com/B9bi8IpQkU
— AllRounder Analyyst (@AllAnalyysstt) December 30, 2024
Pant’s wicket sparks a collapse as AUS close in on win
Pant’s dismissal sparked a collapse as India lost Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy in quick succession. Jaiswal and Washington Sundar tried to stop the rut but the 45-ball 10-run partnership ended with the wicket of former. Jaiswal, who scored twin fifties in the MCG Test, was dismissed for 84 by Pat Cummins, who put Australia on the brink of a sensational win.
Australia vs India 4th Test: Travis Head immensely enjoyed the wicket of Rishabh Pant and broke into a unique celebration, which broke the internet. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
