Enjoyed Every Bit of Banter With Matthew Wade on Day 3: Rishabh Pant

India’s young wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant, who got engaged in the friendly banter with Australia batsman Matthew Wade in the second session of Day 3, revealed why he did not respond to banter from Wade.

Rishabh Pant, who scored a quick 29 in India’s first innings, was heard chirping as Wade looked to defend the delivery from Jasprit Bumrah. Mocking Pant, Wade was heard saying, “Are you looking yourself on the big screen again? Very funny watching yourself on the screen,” he was caught on stump-mic saying.

Revealing why he did not respond to banter, Rishabh Pant said that he enjoyed every bit of banter with Wade. He also revealed that Wade was looking for some sort of discussion or banter to help him concentrate more and he didn’t want to give Wade that ‘concentrating conversation’ so he chose to not respond to the banter.

“I enjoyed every bit of that but I think Wade was probably looking for some sort of discussion or banter so that he could concentrate more, but I didn’t want to give that to him,” Rishabh Pant said.

“I have been training well, practising well but not getting a chance in the first Test is a part and parcel of the game. It is good to back on the side and try to do well for the team.

“Keeping in Australia has been good so far and I am working on opening my right and left leg to adjust to the bounce. The key is to give yourself a little more space against Ashwin and Jadeja,” Pant added.

As long as the second Test is concerned, the Ajinkya Rahane led the side on Tuesday beat Australia in the second Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and levelled the series 1-1, with two games still to go.

This Victory was really special for the visitors after the humiliating loss in the first Test in Adelaide where they were bowled out for their lowest score of 36 all-out.