While the Indian top-order batters once again failed to set up the Indian innings in the first innings of the Sydney Test, the wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is playing an important role in setting the innings along with Ravindra Jadeja.

In the tough overcast conditions, Indian stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah chose to bat first after winning the toss. The top-order batters once again failed to provide a good start as the visitors were struggling at 72/4 after losing both the openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, and the next two batters, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, all cheaply. 

Pant-Jadeja fought hard

Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja tried to fight back in the innings. Due to coming in early to bat in the challenging moment, Pant had to take the defensive option, which is definitely not his playing style. Pant was clearly struggling to defense but the left-handed batter tried his best to handle the situation.

Rishabh Pant received multiple blows to his body 

During his hard-fought innings, Pant faced multiple deliveries on his body. Mitchell Starc’s one delivery hit Pant’s left bicep, which put a bruise. Later, Pant got a blow on his helmet in Starc’s another delivery. Also, Scott Boland’s one delivery hit Pant’s uncomfortable area. Despite several hits on the body, Pant fought hard. 

Rishabh Pant took a number of heavy hits to the body.#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/TdyJ1qhm9C

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2025

Pant and Jadeja set a valuable 48-run partnership for the fifth wicket before Pant was dismissed by Boland for 40 runs off 98 balls.​

Rishabh Pant scored a lot of 20s in the ongoing Australia tour

In the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia, while the Indian batters failed to fight against the Aussie bowlers, Pant scored 21, 28, 9, 28, and 30 runs before scoring 40 runs in the first innings of the ongoing Sydney Test. Although he got some starts, including some patience knocks, he lost his wickets in important times.