India batter Rishabh point left commentators and fans’ jaws on the floor with a stunning six off Pat Cummins as he launched an Indian counter-attack on day one of the first Test in Perth.
Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.
With India reeling at 6-114, Pant walked across his stumps and flicked Australian skipper Cummins off his toes for an extraordinary six, that had to be seen to be believed.
Harsha Bhogle led a chorus of praise, shock and amazement at Pant’s brilliant shot as he tried to bring India back into the game.
“Ladies and gentlemen stop what you are doing right now,” Bhogle said.
“Get your jaw together again because this is Rishabh Pant and this is why he is box office and just one of the “wow” players in the game.”
Kerry O’Keeffe was in awe of the shot, which came from a good ball from Cummins that was hitting middle and off.
“And this is Pat Cummins,” O’Keeffe said.
“What’s he done here? Oh heaven’s above.”
AUS v IND: 1st Test Day 1 Highlights | 08:15
MORE CRICKET NEWS
LIVE BLOG: India duo dropped for first Test against Australia
‘SEE HOW IMPORTANT LYON IS’: Legend ‘surprised’ by India’s bombshell snub
PREDICTIONS: Bolter ‘could get a Test’; why under-pressure legend is ‘due’
O’Keeffe marvelled at the skill and courage of Pant to play such a shot with his team having their backs well and truly against the wall.
“That is jaw dropping that sort of shot in Test cricket at six for not many,” O’Keeffe said.
“Two men out, six down, bowlers to come, it’s not my go to shot.
“That’s a stunning bit of cricket.”
However, the shot was no surprise to former Test adversary David Warner, who has witnessed Pant’s freakish batting at Test and One Day International level and in the IPL.
“Trademark Rishabh Pant,” Warner said.
“I have seen him play that time and time again in IPL.
“Have a look at him. So composed. Played it real late. That’s a half volley.”
“He could have pushed that to mid-off,” O’Keeffe added.
“A traditionalist of the game, just get one, don’t worry about the six,” Warner quipped.
“Wow,” Bhogle said.
Bhogle didn’t know what was more enjoyable the shot, or O’Keeffe’s reaction.
“I don’t know which replay I want to see again,” Bhogle said.
“This one which is eye-catching in itself or the look on your face when he actually played it.
“I’ve seen him play this before, but this on a large boundary with a man on the boundary already.
‘It’s all down to Carey’ Day One Review | 07:58
Despite the audacious shot, Warner explained it wasn’t as risky for Pant as it would be for most other players.
“He is going with the angle, short boundary,” Warner said.
“You just have to accept it. That’s the way he plays and he has probably just thought, the angle in, I have seen enough. I am just going to go along with it and ride it.”
17 wickets fall in CHAOTIC 1st Day | 03:59
TALKING POINTS: King Kohli’s ‘skittish’ start as Smith’s worrying flaw exposed
Kohli shells sitter in ‘extraordinary’ scene… and why it exposed ‘ridiculous’ cricket truth
Aussie catch that will go ‘around the world’ as stars pull off ‘unbelievable’ act
Pant tumbled to the ground after playing the shot, which made the six even more amazing.
“I tell you what he has done well, he has avoided his stumps,” Bhogle said.
“And he didn’t see the end result of his shot because he was facing the ground,” O’Keeffe added.
Former Australian captain Allan Border summed up the ridiculous nature of the shot best.
“I don’t know how to describe that,” Border said.
Cummins eventually got Pant out for 37, caught by Steve Smith in the slips, but the India star was one of only two visiting batters to show fight on day one.
Pant helped save the hosts from what could have been an even more embarrassing first up score as they were eventually bowled out for 150.