India wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant had a horrid start to Day 1 of the third Test against Australia as he dropped two sitters at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Thursday.
Pant, who has been preferred over Wriddhiman Saha for the second consecutive match, did his reputation no good as he dropped Australia debutant Will Pucovski twice in a span of three overs.
Pant gives Puc a life! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/PwhpHuJI4D
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 7, 2021
After dropping a dolly off Ravichandran Ashwin in the last ball of the 22nd over of the opening day’s play, Pant dropped an even easier chance, this time off pacer Mohammed Siraj.
A rollercoaster of emotions for Will Pucovski! Initially given out, but on closer inspection he's recalled to the crease! #OhWhatAFeeling@Toyota_Aus | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/WgT5lCRjAE
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 7, 2021
The two dropped catches gave Pucovski two lifelines, who later notched up his maiden half-century while leading to frustration for both the Indian bowlers and the stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane at the same time.
Twitter slammed Rishabh Pant for his dismal performance behind the stumps on the first day of the Sydney Test.
Rishabh Pant's Rashid Latif moment? #PinkTest #AUSvIND #INDvsAUSTest pic.twitter.com/JRwE1FupwS
— Vijay Arumugam (@vijayarumugam) January 7, 2021
Rishabh pant is Kamran Akmal of India.😠 #INDvsAUSTest
— Bond™ (@piyush_speaks) January 7, 2021
One thing I can say beyond doubt that #RishabhPant is not a "keeper".#INDvsAUSTest
— Harsh Tripathi (@HarshTr23148648) January 7, 2021
Rishabh Pant is a cheat
— alex (@ajvan44) January 7, 2021
Scenes when pant says c'mon ash next time. pic.twitter.com/TWlYfgNMXP
— Heisenberg☢ (@internetumpire) January 7, 2021
Meanwhile, India debutant fast bowler Navdeep Saini dismissed Pucovski for 62 as he picked up his first wicket in Test cricket.
Australia were in a solid position at stumps on Day 1 with 166/2 on the board, with Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith batting on 67 and 31 respectively.
Feature image courtesy: Saeed KHAN / AFP
