"Stupid Stupid Stupid is a new Brave Brave Brave" - Fans laud Rishabh Pant for 61 off 33 balls on Day 2 of 5th BGT 2024-25 Test

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant played a blistering knock on Day 2 (Saturday, January 4) of the fifth Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test in Sydney.

Pant walked out to bat after India lost the wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli in quick succession in the second innings. The left-hander played a counter-attacking knock, putting some pressure back on Australia.

He smashed 61 runs off just 33 deliveries at a strike-rate of 184.85, slamming 6 fours and 4 sixes as well. It was an entertaining knock that helped India close the day with a lead of 145 runs. While the other batters struggled, Rishabh Pant displayed a positive approach right from the word go.

He was eventually dismissed by Australian skipper Pat Cummins, but Pant had done enough damage by the time. His knock left everyone in awe, as even fans lauded his performance on the second day of the Sydney Test.

Referring to the comment made by former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar after Pant's dismissal in the first innings, a fan on X (formerly Twitter) wrote that stupid is the new brave.

"Stupid Stupid Stupid is a new Brave Brave Brave What an innings Rishabh 😭🔥."

Another fan hailed the left-hander for his performance, writing that Rishabh Pant does not see the Test and T20 format differently.

Referring to a quote by Oscar Wilde, another fan was impressed by Pant being himself and playing his natural game.

""Be yourself; everyone else is already taken" - Oscar Wilde (and Rishabh Pant)," the fan tweeted.

Meanwhile, another fan referred to Gavaskar's comments, hailing Pant for smashing a brilliant fifty in the second innings.

"Smashed a STUPID fifty with his STUPID shots🔥😎👏#rishabhpant #bgt2024 #INDvsAUS," the tweet read.

For his terrific display, another user regarded Rishabh Pant as 'box office'. He also urged everyone to stand up and salute the batter, referring to him as 'master.'

"STAND UP AND SALUTE THIS MASTER, SYDNEY...!!! 🫡🇮🇳 - The box office, Rishabh Pant," the user wrote.

Another fan praised Pant, stating that the batter has risen from the ashes and has defeated death. He wrote:

"Kohli and his PR team tried their best to target Rishabh Pant to hide their own failures. But Pant has risen up from the ashes. He has defeated the death, They are just humans.🙌💯"

After the whirlwind innings, another fan appreciated Pant for his comeback after he was injured and away from action.

"Rishabh Pant’s comeback story is nothing short of legendary! 🗿🔥 True inspiration both on and off the field. 💪 #ChampionSpirit #RishabhPant," the tweet read.

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Rishabh Pant's performance in BGT 2024-25 series

Rishabh Pant unleashed himself in the second innings of the fifth and final BGT 2024-25 Test in Sydney. This being his last innings on the tour, the batter signed off on an exceptional note.

Pant had a decent series with the bat so to say. He scored 255 runs from five Tests and nine innings, averaging 28.33. His best score in the series is the 61-run knock he played on the second day of the fifth Test.

However, this is his only fifty of the series. That said, Pant was expected to perform more consistently with the bat throughout. It would be fair to say that he was not at his absolute best looking at his performance in the series as a whole.