Sydney: India are currently having a good run in Australian summer as they are leading the four-match Test series against Australia 2-1. The fourth and final Test commenced at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Thursday.
India had a historic win against the hosts in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Apart from the historic win by India, another highlighted moment in the match was the battle of words between Rishabh Pant and hosts’ captain Tim Paine.
Ahead of the fourth and final Test match in Sydney, the India and Australian cricketers met the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday in an informal gathering. The entire Indian team first posed for a group photo with PM Morrison before meeting him one by one.
While Morrison greeted all the Indian cricketers with a big smile, he was particularly excited to meet Pant.
“Ah yes! You sledge, Right?,” said Morrison while shaking hands with Pant. The young Indian keeper said, “Thank you,” with a sheepish smile on his face. The prime minister then said, “You are most welcome, we like a competitive game.”
Poor Pant didn’t have a comeback. That’s one Aussie he’ll surely not cross! The 21-year-old smiled, politely shook hands with Morrison and moved on.
Earlier, social media was lit up when Paine’s wife Bonnie Paine, shared a picture of Pant and her kids. ‘Best babysitter’ read the caption. During the match in Melbourne, Paine had asked Pant if he’d babysit for him when he took his wife to the movies.
Tim Paine to at Boxing Day Test: "You babysit? I'll take the wife to the movies one night, you'll look after the kids?"
*Challenge accepted!* 👶
(📸 Mrs Bonnie Paine) pic.twitter.com/QkMg4DCyDT
The young wicket-keeper has attracted a lot of attention for his banter with the Australian skipper.
Paine sledged Pant. He was heard saying that since MS Dhoni was back in the limited-overs squad, he could play in the Big Bash League (BBL) and also babysit his kids.
Tim Paine doing some recruiting for the out in the middle of the 'G... 😂 pic.twitter.com/6btRZA3KI7
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)Pant hit back when Paine came out to bat and even called him a ‘temporary captain’.
“You got a special guest today…come on Manky (Mayank Agarwal). Have you heard a word temporary captain? Hai mank (Mayank)? Have you heard the word temporary captain ever? You don’t need anything to get him out. He loves to talk, that’s the only thing he can do,” Rishabh was heard chatting to Mayank, trying to distract Paine during the Melbourne Test.
Rishabh Pant continued the chatter behind the stumps with Tim Paine at the crease.
"We'll learn a new word today, 'temporary captain'."
"You don't need anything to get him out boys, just bowl the ball" pic.twitter.com/A6BGjEZMWT
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