Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane recalled Rishabh Pant’s innings at SCG against Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21. He said that the keeper-batter was angry at Cheteshwar Pujara for not reaching his ton.
Pant impressed many in the third Test match against Australia in 2021 at SCG, where Team India registered a famous draw. The southpaw took charge against the lethal Australian attack and smashed 97 off 118 balls, giving India unlikely hope of winning as the visitors were chasing a mammoth target of 407.
The left-hander was struck on his elbow during India's first innings through a short ball and his elbow was bruised but Pant showed great character to bat through the pain. After losing then skipper Rahane early, the keeper-batter was promoted up the order and joined Cheteshwar Pujara.
He stunned the Australians with his fiery show and stitched a 148-run stand with Pujara to reignite India’s hopes. But he missed his century by three runs as he edged Nathan Lyon to point.
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Speaking on the documentary series 'Bandon Mein Tha Dum' streaming on VOOT, Rishabh Pant said that Pujara at the other end was the reason behind his lapse in concentration as he put him into a double-minded state by telling him to work in singles and doubles.
"…'Rishabh… see for a while, try to stick. You can work in singles, doubles too. You don’t have to hit a boundary'. I got a little angry that they put me in this double-minded state. Because I like it when I'm very clear in my plans that this is what I want to do.
“We had built such a good momentum. In my mind the only thing at that time was 'damn, what just happened?' Because if I reached 100 there, it would have been one of my best,” Rishabh Pant said.
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Rahane narrated how Pujara reminded Pant of his score and told him to carefully reach his 100, which resulted in the left-hander losing his rhythm and getting out on 97. He also revealed Pant's angry reaction after returning to the dressing room.
'Pujara from the other end was telling him to slow down. We can score runs later. When any experienced player comes and tells you, 'Now wait, you're on 97 and you're playing well, but now if you play a little sensibly you can make your 100. He was backing his game but unfortunately, he got out," Ajinkya Rahane said.
"When he came in, he was disappointed and angry and he said, 'Pujara bhai came and reminded me that I was on 97. I wasn't even aware. Had he not said anything, I would have probably completed by hundred,” he said.
