"He tried to put his life" - Irfan Pathan lauds Rishabh Pant's knock in BGT 2024-25 5th Test

Irfan Pathan has lauded Rishabh Pant for playing a gritty knock in India's first innings of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 fifth Test. He pointed out that the wicketkeeper-batter virtually put his life and took blows all over his body during his innings.

Pant scored 40 runs off 98 deliveries as India were bowled out for 185 on Day 1 (Friday, January 3) of the final Test against Australia in Sydney. The hosts ended the day at 9/1 in their first innings, with Jasprit Bumrah sending Usman Khawaja back to the pavilion off the final delivery.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Pathan praised Pant for playing a tenacious knock under pressure.

"We talk a lot about Rishabh Pant but we need to agree that the knock he played today was extremely crucial. It wasn't easy. No one crossed the 30-run mark but Rishabh Pant reached 40," he said.

"He was getting hit repeatedly. He was taking balls on his body. He put his body on the line. He tried to put his life. He was under slight pressure. There is external pressure as well. He was getting hit on the body but he fought despite that. I feel it was an excellent innings," Pathan added.

Pant was criticized for virtually throwing away his wicket in both innings of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. He played responsibly on Friday and was hit multiple times on his body, including a nasty blow on the helmet off Mitchell Starc's bowling.

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"I definitely want to see Rishabh Pant play with the discipline he showed" - Sanjay Bangar

Rishabh Pant struck three fours and a six during his 40-run knock. [P/C: Getty]

In the same discussion, Sanjay Bangar urged Rishabh Pant to always play with the discipline he exhibited in Friday's game.

"He has the grit and resolve. He plays cricketing shots, which are exceptional. When he got out, I felt it was a slight loss of concentration because the ball hit the bottom part of his bat. I definitely want to see Rishabh Pant play with the discipline he showed," he said.

The former India batting coach pointed out that the usually destructive wicketkeeper-batter didn't attempt any audacious shots.

"He tried to score runs in front of the wickets. He didn't try to play any ramp shot and gave himself the full opportunity to score runs. This player already has such an approach. He has consistently played like this. I feel his approach in today's innings was terrific," Bangar observed.

Pant joined Virat Kohli in the middle after India were reduced to 57/3 at the fall of Shubman Gill's wicket. Although Kohli was dismissed soon after, the 27-year-old added 48 runs for the fifth wicket with Ravindra Jadeja (26) to bail his team out of trouble.