Gargi Raut in Melbourne
On a bright sunny morning in Melbourne, with the series poised at 1-1 and India five wickets down at the start on Day 3, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja had the perfect opportunity to put pressure back on the opposition. A 30-over old red Kookaburra and the sun pelting down, all hopes were pinned on the left-handed duo. All eyes were on Pant to haul the Indian team out of the rut they put themselves in. When you look back at India’s innings you realise that three wickets were given away to the Aussies.
Fans are no strangers to Pant’s style of play – he is a high-risk, high-reward batter. He either dazzles with breathtaking innings or falters with shots that appear reckless when they fail. But how long can this boom-or-bust approach be a justification for the flashy batter’s inconsistency in delivering big scores in crucial moments? Especially considering the situation of the match.
The duo of Jadeja and Pant had started the day well. Pat Cummins started off the bowling with a gully and slips, and Scott Boland on the other end. The Aussies had a well-crafted plan in place for Pant from the outset. As the overs progressed, a mix of dot balls, boundaries, close calls started to build the pressure. Nine overs into the day, with Boland charging in, Pant backed away from his crease at the very last moment, visibly irking the bowler. Instantaneously there was a tension between the two. On the very next delivery, Boland bowled with added intensity, and Pant attempted one of his trademark audacious lap shots. This time, however, he completely missed the ball, which struck him hard in the midsection. Off-balance, Pant tumbled to the ground, staying there momentarily. It was a rare moment of vulnerability and perhaps where his ego got hit.
It’s hard to say what was running through Pant’s mind as he lay sprawled on the ground for a good 30 seconds. Boland had orchestrated the perfect set-up for Pant’s risky lap shots, with Nathan Lyon strategically placed at third man, waiting for a mistake. The southpaw got up, took to the crease and attempted the same shot once more. This time, the ball took the edge of his bat and landed safely in Lyon’s hands. The shot was unnecessary, irresponsible and oblivious to the precarious situation India found itself in. Yet again, the game was left to be saved by the lower order.
Pant has the talent and temperament to play match-saving and match-winning knocks. But it raises an important question: where does natural flair end and responsibility begin? There’s a fine line between being audacious and sensible. While the 27 year-old remains a key component in India’s batting lineup-one that can single-handedly turn the match around-recent performances have lacked big innings expected from a player of his calibre. Pant is undeniably one of the most entertaining batters to watch in modern day Test cricket but are flashy 20s and 30s enough to justify his potential and role?
Then again, how do you critique an approach that has rescued the Indian team on numerous occasions? Pant’s ‘natural game’ is a double-edged sword. However, this instance felt different from the rest. The odds were stacked against him, a field perfectly set, and an earlier attempt at the same shot ending in failure. Was he trying to prove a point? To show that he could still clear the boundary despite a fielder positioned at third man? It’s a question we may never have an answer to.
India find a gem in Nitish Kumar Reddy
As the day progressed, Nitish Kumar Reddy found his beat and soon orchestrated a masterful performance. Reddy scored his maiden Test century under overwhelming pressure. The 21-year-old notched up his maiden Test hundred against a formidable Australian side in challenging overseas conditions.
The partnership between Reddy and Washington Sundar recused the tourists. The duo batted through more than 50 overs and crafted a partnership worth remembering, one that somewhat shifted the momentum of the match. The stand has provided a glimmer of hope for India, although the road ahead remains steep. While a draw seems the more probable outcome, Australia are under a bit of pressure now. A second innings collapse might jangle their nerves.
All said and done, the stage is set for an exciting electrifying Day 4 tomorrow.