Rishabh Pant, the swashbuckling Indian wicketkeeper-batter, achieved a significant milestone by completing 5,000 runs in international cricket during his quickfire 61 runs against Australia in Sydney. The 27-year-old reached this feat in the ongoing fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Saturday.
Pant‘s knock came after a steady 40 in 98 balls in the first innings, with three fours and a six. In the second innings, he unleashed his aggressive style, hitting a six off the first ball against Scott Boland and finishing with 61 off just 33 balls, which included six fours and four sixes, at an impressive strike rate of 184.85.
Throughout the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Pant has not been at his best but still managed to score 255 runs in five matches across nine innings, with an average of 28.33. He ranks as the sixth-highest run-scorer in the series. In total, Pant has made 5,028 international runs in 150 matches, averaging 33.97 with seven centuries and 23 fifties in 168 innings. His best score is 159*.
In Test cricket, Pant has scored 2,948 runs in 43 matches at an average of 42.11, including six centuries and 15 fifties. His ODI record includes 871 runs from 31 matches, with a century and five fifties. In T20Is, Pant has made 1,209 runs at a strike rate of 127.26, with four half-centuries.
In the ongoing match, India faced a tough start as the top order struggled. Virat Kohli (17) continued his issues with deliveries outside off-stump, but Pant (40) and Ravindra Jadeja (26) held their ground, pushing India to a total of 185/10 in 72.2 overs. Scott Boland was the standout bowler for Australia, taking 4/31, with Mitchell Starc (3/49) and Pat Cummins (2/37) contributing as well.
Australia’s first innings saw India dominate, dismissing them for 181 runs and taking a narrow four-run lead. Beau Webster (57) and Steve Smith (33) stood out for Australia. Prasidh Krishna (3/42) and Mohammed Siraj (3/51) were India’s key bowlers.
In their second innings, India struggled, with only Yashasvi Jaiswal (22) and KL Rahul (13) making any impact. Boland continued to be a thorn for the Indian batters, claiming 4/42. At the end of the day, India was 141/6, with Jadeja (8*) and Sundar (6*) at the crease.Rishabh Pant Achieves Milestone of 5,000 International Runs for India
