SYDNEY: Hit on the helmet, then in the thigh, the left bicep sporting a nasty bruise, a blow to the groin leaving him gasping, Rishabh Pant tried to fight through it all. In the end though, he received a battering and fell after top-scoring with a 98-ball 40.
"I think this is the first time I've got hit so much but you know... in cricket, you can't plan anything," said Pant at close of play on Friday. "Everything happens for the first time at some point in your career and that was me today."
It was a day of blows -- to the mind and the body. The collective psyche of a nation was shaken as Rohit Sharma was dropped (and not rested as they would have you believe) for a decisive game. And then, as wicket after wicket fell to a relentless Australian attack, the body seemed to give up too. India were broken down, ball-by-ball, hour-by-hour, session-by-session on Day 1 of the fifth and final Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. And that is honest truth that coach Gautam Gambhir demanded on the eve of the game.
As India struggled to reach 185 all out on a green top at the SCG, it often felt like we were watching a repeat of the previous matches in the series. KL Rahul hit a four-ball straight to the fielder at square leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal edged one to third slip off Boland, a batter (Gill this time) was dismissed in the last over before tea, Virat Kohli edged a delivery off the fifth stump line.
Nothing has changed and that should 'honestly' trouble Gambhir.
This story is from the January 04, 2025 edition of Hindustan Times Navi Mumbai.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 04, 2025 edition of Hindustan Times Navi Mumbai.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Cummins, the pace spearhead driving Australia's serial success
Knack for wickets, unparalleled control and a never-say-die attitude for which Glenn McGrath will be revered as possibly the greatest Australian fast bowler in the last four decades.
Agarkar to Brief Selectors Ahead of BCCI Meet on Sunday
The selection committee will be in full attendance for the knockout rounds of the Vijay Hazare Trophy one-dayers in Vadodara, which start with the pre-quarter finals on Thursday.
Djokovic: At his happy hunting ground, with an old foe in tow
The Serbian has worked with Becker, Agassi and Ivanisevic. In Murray he has access to the mind of a master tactician
Indian hockey players bonding with the best in relaunched HIL
Skipper Sumit Walmiki and Australian Tim Brand walked to the dugout, shared a laugh and high-fived after Hyderabad Toofans' practice.
Shooter Tomar Finds Fresh High After Domestic Double
Varun Tomar's dream of representing India at the Paris Olympics was crushed when he lost in the domestic selection trials to pick the final squad.
Neeraj to star in a world javelin event in India
India's two-time Olympic medallist and reigning world champion Neeraj Chopra will be the star attraction in a marquee international javelin tournament at home later this year, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) said on Tuesday.
Cloud over review of 14-yr-old trade pact with Asean
THE REVIEW HAS STALLED SINCE INDIA'S OFFER OF A UNIFIED DUTY STRUCTURE HAS NOT FOUND FAVOUR AMONG ASEAN MEMBERS
Meta Goes For Community Notes, Ends Fact-Checking
Meta Platforms chief executive officer (CEO) Mark Zuckerberg on Tuesday announced a decision to do away with the company's long-standing fact-checking teams—choosing instead to establish a 'community notes' mechanism akin to Elon Musk's X, formerly Twitter.
Capex allocation likely to rise 10% for roads, rlys
The Centre proposes to keep its focus on rapid infrastructure growth in the next financial year, with plans to push capex allocation for the ministries of road transport and highways, and railways in the upcoming budget by up to 10%, two persons aware of the development said.
Microsoft to Invest $3 Billion in AI, Cloud Expansion in India
The tech giant also plans to train 10 million people in AI skills in India by 2030
