[Watch] Rishabh Pant sends Mitchell Starc packing with a brilliant direct hit in BGT 2024-25 4th Test

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant dismissed Mitchell Starc with a brilliant direct hit on Day 4 of the fourth Test against Australia in Melbourne on Sunday, December 29. He produced a brilliant direct hit at the non-striker’s end as Starc departed for five runs.

The dismissal came in the 59th over of Australia’s second innings. Jasprit Bumrah bowled a hard length ball and Starc tucked it behind square on the leg side for a single. Nitish Kumar Reddy, the fielder, immediately got rid of the ball.

Starc charged back for a second but Cummins wasn’t interested. Starc had to turn back before Pant collected the ball and produced a brilliant direct hit to leave the batter short of his ground, putting a good presence of mind on display.

Watch the video below:

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Rishabh Pant on the spotlight as India chase in the 4th innings

Rishabh Pant will have a big role to play in the fourth innings as India chase against Australia in Melbourne. The left-handed batter has failed to score big in the series, returning with scores of 37 & 1 (Perth), 21 & 28 (Adelaide), 9 (in Adelaide) and 28 (in this game).

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar tore him apart for his shot selection in the first innings after being caught in the ploy from Australia. He said on-air on ABC Sport (via Sportskeeda):

"Stupid, Stupid, STUPID! You've got two fielders there, and you still go for that. You missed the previous shot, and look where you've been caught. That is throwing away your wicket. You cannot say that is your natural game. I'm sorry. That is not your natural game. This is a stupid shot. This is letting your team down badly. You have to understand the situation as well.”

Rishabh Pant was the chief architect when India beat Australia by a 2-1 margin in the 2020-21 BGT series. He amassed 274 runs in five innings at an average of 68.5, including two half-centuries.

Meanwhile, the hosts have extended their lead to 286 in the second innings with nine wickets down.

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