Rishabh Pant gives fitness update after SCG body blows, talks Jasprit Bumrah-Sam Konstas battle

After the dramatic Day 1 of the ongoing New Year Test between India and Australia, Rishabh Pant shared an update on his fitness and opened up about the battle between Jasprit Bumrah and Sam Konstas on Friday (January 3) at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney.

The opening day of the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) was full of exciting moments and heated exchanges. One of the fiercest scenes took place when Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah, known for his calmness, lost his cool over 19-year-old Sam Konstas.

Rishabh Pant reflects on the Jasprit Bumrah-Sam Konstas clash in the Sydney Test

The real drama began when Australian opener Usman Khawaja delayed Bumrah’s delivery by signaling that he was not ready, just as the bowler began his run-up. The situation escalated when Australian opener Sam Konstas, who has been at the center of controversy since his Test debut, stepped in unnecessarily, gesturing to India’s premier pacer to stop.

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This unnecessary intervention caused a confrontation, and Jasprit Bumrah angrily approached Sam Konstas and raised the issue. The referee quickly intervened and separated the players. However, the Indian pacer let his bowling do the talking at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney.

On the very next delivery, Jasprit Bumrah delivered a full-length ball that forced a lead off Usman Khawaja and KL Rahul made no mistake at slip. Instead of celebrating the wicket, Bumrah fixed Konstas with a cold, piercing gaze, getting his point across without a word.

Aussies wanted to waste some time: Rishabh Pant on Day 1 drama

Now, reacting to the fiery exchange at the SCG, Rishabh Pant said that Konstas was trying to waste time by engaging Bumrah in conversation to avoid another strike before the end of Day 1. Pant said he did not hear the exact words, but believed the intention was simply to delay the game.

Rishabh Pant told the media at the post-match press conference after the end of Day 1, “Yes, just before stumps. I think they talked a little; they wanted to waste some time. I feel like that’s why Sam was talking to Jassi, he said something, I didn’t hear. But I feel that’s the only thing he wanted to do, just wait a while so we don’t bowl another one.”

Also Read: Scott Boland reveals Australia’s plan to make Virat Kohli’s life hell on BGT

Sometimes you have to do the hard work for the team: Rishabh Pant

Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant himself suffered some brutal blows, including to the arms, fists and helmet, in the final BGT 2024-25 Test against Australia in Sydney. However, Pant acknowledged the pain of the knocks he took but stressed the importance of putting the team’s needs first in the ongoing Test match.

The left-handed batsman said he was focused on playing the ball to the best of his ability without thinking about where he was hit, stressing that working hard for the team was his priority as the SCG Test was a do-or-die encounter for Team India.

Pant signed off by saying, “I mean, it’s definitely painful, but you know, sometimes you have to do the hard work for the team, and that’s okay. I don’t think about where I got hit, I just play the ball the best I can. It’s the only thing I can do. And that’s what I did.”