AUS vs IND, Sydney Test: After in both innings of the Melbourne Test, India's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant adopted a different approach in the first innings of the the final Test in Sydney.

The southpaw curbed his natural instincts of going after the bowlers and played a rather subdued knock, scoring only 40 runs during his 98-ball stay in the middle.

It was a knock that got everybody talking, as nobody expected an attacking batter like him to play against his true nature for such a long time.

© X/cricketcomau

Generally known for the "my way or the highway" approach, the experts were surprised to witness such a massive shift in Pant's batting.

Not only did Pant curtail his natural strokeplay, but he coped as many as 12 blows to different parts of his body, including a nasty blow to his helmet and arm that left him with a black mark.

Many wondered what might have prompted a significant turnaround in Pant's playing style.

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Was it head coach during the pre-match press conference, or was it the effect of the reported "strong words" that the 43-year-old used in the dressing room after defeat in Melbourne?

Pant's knock reminded fans of Cheteshwar Pujara's knock in the 2021 Gabba Test, where the veteran batter had suffered as many as 11 blows to shield his wicket. Pant went a step ahead and coped 12 blows to different parts of his body.

© X/cricketcomau

After grinding out nearly 100 balls (98, to be exact), Pant's resolve ended when he tried to take on Scott Boland's short-pitch bowling and failed to cover the bounce, handing a simple catch to Pat Cummins at mid-wicket.

Even though Pant's hard-fought knock ended in agony, fans were pleased with his resolve on a tricky pitch where every ball seemed to be doing something.

Some fans blasted Pant for wasting his hard work with a clumsy shot, but the majority lauded the batter for adapting to the team's situation.

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Sure, Rishabh Pant would have liked to continue for long, but his knock played a crucial role in getting India into three digits.