Rishabh Pant scored 22 off the final over of the day’s play on Day 2 to bring up his hundred at the SCG. India XI were 386/4 at the close of play on Day 2, in front by 472. Both Pant and Hanuma Vijari scored unbeaten hundreds as the Indian batsmen built on the mishaps in the first innings. Shubman Gill scored an impressive 65 earlier in the day. Mayank Agarwal scored an impressive 61 while skipper Ajinkya Rahane scored 38. Prithvi Shaw was the only failure with the bat in the second innings.
The Aussie bowlers had the upper hand in the second innings removing Prithvi Shaw early. Mayank and Gill then added a 1-4-run stand. Gill fell to Mitchell Swepson, with Sean Abbott pouching a fine catch in the slips. Jack Wildermuth, the all-rounder, then dismissed Mayank with Patrick Rowe grabbing the catch in the deep.
Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari then added 78 getting together at 161 for 3 taking India to 239 before Rahane was dismssed.
Pant and Vihari then took matters into their own hands as they scored centuries but of completely different styles. While Vihari was more watchful and patient, Pant went in at full throttle. His last five scoring shots were 0 4 4 6 4 4 to get to the three-figure score. Vihari completed his hundred with a single off Wildermuth in the 86th over.
The wicketkeeper-batsman smacked as many as nine fours and six sixes, and ended the day in style by tonking Wildermuth for four boundaries and a six. In the process, he also reached his century off the final ball of the day with a boundary.
Pant has thus edged Wriddhiman Saha to the first keeper’s choice for the first Test in Adelaide. Meanwhile, Saha also scored an unbeaten 54 to help India eke out a draw in the first warm-up game.
Meanwhile, this is how Twitter reacted to Rishabh Pant’s quickfire ton
💯
A cracking first-class century from @RishabhPant17 in just 73 balls at the SCG. He smashes 22 off the final over to bring up his 100.
9×4 6×6. BOOM. pic.twitter.com/Mg3M1WBYlg
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 12, 2020
In all formats Rishabh Pant(next Sehwag) become a gud opener… Consider it @BCCI #GreatopenerRishabhPant pic.twitter.com/XZxT6qgItD
— Ravi sankar (@RavisankarA14) December 12, 2020
Vihari was outstanding today. Rishabh Pant now making his statement clear again with his bat! It’s a brilliant 💯 from him & now @BCCI will be in a dilemma… but a great sign for 🇮🇳 cricket & as a 🏏 fan. #AUSAvIND
— RAJESH-SWD 🧑💻 (@iamrajeshjena) December 12, 2020
In all formats Rishabh Pant(next Sehwag) become a gud opener… Consider it @BCCI #GreatopenerRishabhPant pic.twitter.com/XZxT6qgItD
— Ravi sankar (@RavisankarA14) December 12, 2020
Rishabh Pant Innings :-
•Runs – 103*
•Balls – 73
•SR – 141.1
•4/6 – 9/6Hanuma Vihari Innings :-
•Runs – 104*
•Balls – 194
•SR – 53.61
•4s – 13#AUSAvIND— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) December 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/Shikhar_sm0204/status/1337726430646398978?s=20
https://twitter.com/MasterOfChase/status/1337734050241413122?s=20
*Rishabh Pant Scored Century in Just 73 Balls*..
* Saha Watching His batting from Dressing-room be like-: pic.twitter.com/B4tVLf7Gs7
— Pulkit🇮🇳 (@pulkit5Dx) December 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/YoungsterYuva/status/1337725776154644480?s=20