Commentators Wasim Akram and Ravi Shastri shared a humorous exchange after Rishabh Pant was hit in the groin during Day 1 of the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Perth on November 22, 2024. Akram jokingly asked Shastri why people laugh when a batter is struck in such a painful area.
Shastri responded by recounting his own experiences. The light-hearted banter added to an eventful day that saw 17 wickets fall. India, after opting to bat, were bowled out for 150 in 49.4 overs, with Josh Hazlewood taking 4-29.
Australia, in turn, collapsed to 67-7 in 27 overs by stumps, as Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah delivered a stellar spell, claiming 4-17 in 10 overs. The commentary box also entertained viewers when replays showed Virat Kohli and Harshit Rana laughing after Pant’s painful moment. Reacting to the scene, Akram playfully asked Shastri:
“Yeh saare haste kyun hai jab ball yaha lagta hai? (Who do all these people laugh when the bat hits [the batter] there?)”
“Bahut haste hai (They laugh a lot),” the former India coach agreed.
Shastri shared an anecdote about being struck in the groin by Courtney Walsh, which left the West Indian players in fits of laughter.
“I remember in West Indies, I got hit my Courtney Walsh in that area. All the West Indians gathered there and were laughing. They are laughing and here one cannot breathe. We also want to laugh, but there is no chance. Quality of abdomen guards was very poor,” the former India all-rounder cheekily added.
You can watch the video here:
Commentary box giving us 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙞 𝙑𝙞𝙗𝙚@RaviShastriOfc and @wasimakramlive dive into a “crucial” discussion in the commentary box! 😂
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Rishabh Pant played a crucial knock of 37 on Day 1 in Perth
Pant’s innings was instrumental in helping India reach 150 after they found themselves reeling at 73-6. The left-hander put together a vital 48-run partnership for the seventh wicket with debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy (41).
That's 𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗕𝗛-𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜™
Who else but @RishabhPant17 to smash the first SIX of the Test match! 💥😍
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— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 22, 2024
Pant hit three fours and a six during his 78-ball innings but fell to Pat Cummins. The left-hander edged a full delivery angling across off to second slip while attempting a flick through midwicket.
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