Tim Paine’s banter during Day 2 of the third Test at MCG was so good, that even Rohit Sharma could not keep a straight face. Rohit, who isn’t exactly known for playing Test cricket, because of the attacking nature of his batting, has been nicknamed the ‘hitman’. Paine tried to trigger his attacking side during 139th over, asking Rohit to hit Nathan Lyon’s delivery for a six.
The commentators let the stump mic take over the commentary and it was surely worth it. Here’s what the Australian skipper had to say to Rohit or forward short leg fielder Aaron Finch (basically meant it for Indian batsman to hear):
”It would be a toss up for me between the Royals (Rajasthan) and Indians (Mumbai) on who I support. If Rohit hits a six here, I’m changing to Mumbai,”
Here are the videos of the chatter in the second session of day 2:
“If Rohit hits a six here I’m changing to Mumbai” #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/JFdHsAl84b
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2018
Time for Finchy to have a bowl after the tea break? #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/5JS2fomYUJ
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2018
Rohit is the captain of Mumbai Indians (MI), and has led the side to three Indian Premier League (IPL) title wins. Paine did not just stop there. When he noticed that Rohit wasn’t slipping up like he did in the first Test earlier this month, he resorted to plan B – breaking his concentration.
Here’s a look at reactions from people on the gold level banter:
Loving Timmy’s banter! This is how cricket should be! Not sledging, just great banter!
— Luke Harris (@FormulaFish15) December 27, 2018
Paine will have a lot of banter coming his way when he comes to bat
Loving each and every minute of this! Friendly banter played within the spirit of the game and that’s how it should be. Can’t wait for Pant to be unleashed (I mean his banter behind the stump, remember not everyone is a Pujara jibe at Cummins) when the Aussies take guard.
— Jobi P Joshi (@JobiPJ15) December 27, 2018
We surely can
Plz stop commentary for entire day. We can live with such stuff.
— lucky rasotra (@l_rasotra) December 27, 2018
The beauty of Test cricket
There’s a fine line between sledging and banter, and Paine seems to be toeing on the right side of that line. Love it!
— Sayantan Dutta (@tweeting_trends) December 27, 2018
Rohit tried really hard to do that.
If i were the batsman i would’ve stopped the play and laugh the hell out
— Omer (@momerk_) December 27, 2018
Ouch!
That’s the closest Paine could get to IPL
— Hypocritical Indian (@kyunki_isliye) December 27, 2018
Maybe he did it out of boredom
When you get enough of Indian batsmen for two freaking longg days and still the 3rd approaches and you have kept stumps for almost 180 overs#AUSvIND #INDvAUS #INDvsAUS
— ραяαg иαтн (@Paragmusicfreak) December 27, 2018
That’s exactly how Rohit must have felt batting in the middle
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 27, 2018
In process of doing so, the wicketkeeper also took a dig at this own teammate Finch, saying, ”You’ve played for every team though”. The Australian opener has played for seven franchises in his IPL career.
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