Australia has once again showcased its dominance over Rishabh Pant as the Indian wicketkeeper-batter faced another disappointing dismissal during the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at The Gabba, Brisbane. This match has become a focal point of concern for Indian fans as Pant, along with his team, has struggled to match the intensity of the Australian squad.
Rishabh Pant's connection with The Gabba has been iconic, particularly marked by his heroic innings during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy when he played the pivotal knock leading to India's historic win. Unfortunately, his recent return to the venue proved to be far less triumphant. During the current series, he has been dismissed by Australian skipper Pat Cummins three times, raising alarms about his current performance levels.
On Day 3 of the Test, India was left reeling at 51 for 4, still trailing Australia's formidable scoreboard of 445 runs. Pant’s contributions to the scoreboard have been far from commendable; he managed only 9 runs off 12 balls before edging Cummins’ delivery to wicketkeeper Alex Carey. This batting debacle extended Pant's series tally to just 90 runs across five innings, which has drawn the ire of many fans.
When Pant strode to the crease, Indian fans hoped for some magic akin to his previous outing at this ground. Despite the rain interruptions which halted play, which could have allowed him to regroup, Pant was unable to leverage these situations to his advantage. Instead, it was another woeful return, reminiscent of the away team's top-order failures, which saw the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli dismissed quickly.
Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were relentless, dismantling India's batting lineup early on. Starc’s lethal opening spell saw him take two early wickets, including the promising opener Jaiswal. The pressure heightened ever since the team lost its wickets at regular intervals. Kohli, again succumbing to the outer edges, returned to the pavilion without making any significant impact, scoring just 3 runs.
Fans on social media did not hold back, with comments such as, “Rishabh Pant – Most overrated player in International cricket and IPL,” reflecting their frustration over his poor performance.
The match has seen numerous rain interruptions, which, rather than aiding the Indian side, have contributed to their unsettled composure. When batting resumed, Pant was again unable to capitalize on the loose balls, and it was evident the pressure was mounting on the team. Cummins, who seems to have locked down Pant’s capabilities, bowled with precision, drawing him out to nick the ball, underscoring Pant's struggle against his elite bowling.
By the time Pant was dismissed, India’s situation became even more precarious. At this point, KL Rahul was left trying to hold the innings together, but even he faced difficulties as Australia demonstrated why they are ranked among the best Test teams.
The Australian team's bowling strategy, particularly from Cummins and Starc, has stifled India’s aggression and created gaps of uncertainty, showcasing their capability to control the game and take wickets at opportune times. With Cummins’ dismissal of Pant, who was previously seen as formidable even against the Australian bowling attack, it not only affected the morale of the Indian team but has also raised questions about Pant's readiness for the rigors of Test cricket.
It’s been noted just how much the dominating bowling performances of Australia affect the mental state of the Indian batters, who have struggled with their form against this formidable attack. Overall, the series has been marked by significant contributions from players like Travis Head and Steven Smith, whose centuries prevented any chance of India coming back strong.
For now, with rain affecting the proceedings and the scoreline showing India trailing by 394 runs, questions arise about how the Indian team will regroup and who among them will step up to lead the batting front. Rishabh Pant, who previously brought spirit and aggression to the crease, will need to find ways to reignite his form if India hopes to salvage any respect from this Test. The pressure is mounting, not only for Pant but for the entire team as they look to overturn their fortunes against the Australians.
Should the situation persist, the call for replacements or strategies might grow louder. Fans and cricket analysts alike will be closely watching, especially to see if Pant can turn things around and prove his worth against the bowlers who seem to have figured him out.
This encounter at The Gabba promises to be one not easily forgotten, as it raises larger questions about the resilience and adaptability of the Indian side, particularly Rishabh Pant, under constant pressure from one of the toughest bowling attacks globally.
