Paine acknowledged Pant’s light-hearted gesture and called him a ‘sport’, both on and off the field.
In case you didn’t know…
The ongoing Australia-India series has seen a host of sledges, banter and mockery from either side, and it is safe to say that the wicket-keepers of both teams have led the charge for their sides.
During the Melbourne Test, in the wake of MS Dhoni’s return to India’s limited-overs side, Paine asked Pant to join the Hobart Hurricanes and added that he would buy him an apartment on the water front as well. He also asked the Indian batter if he could babysit.
Paine was heard poking fun at the Indian wicketkeeper on the stump mic, as he joked:
The heart of the matter
Pant did exactly what Paine asked for. He spent a few moments with Paine’s children while the players were at the Prime Minister’s house.
Tim’s wife Bonnie Paine took to Instagram to claim that Pant was the ‘best baby-sitter.’ In one of her stories, she uploaded a picture with the explosive batsman and two of her kids.
Speaking about the incident in a press conference, Paine remarked:
What’s next?
India hold the upper hand heading into Day 2 of the Sydney Test match with 303 runs on the board at stumps. The ever-so-solid Cheteshwar Pujara is batting on 130 alongside Hanuma Vihari, who has gone about his game positively, having ended the day on 39 off 58 deliveries.
It will be interesting to see if Paine has any more on-field remarks lined up for when Pant arrives at the crease.
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