India batter Rishabh Pant believes his innings of 40 from 98 deliveries on day one of the fifth Test against Australia proves he is capable of reining in his attacking instincts.

Pant has faced criticism for the manner of his dismissals during this series, particularly when twice caught on the boundary during his side's fourth Test defeat in Melbourne.

He walked to the crease with his side 57-3 and played a more measured innings at the SCG, however, producing his side's top score as they were bowled out for 185.

The 27-year-old claimed that the nature of the pitch and the precarious scorecard resulted in him playing a more defensive knock.

He said: "Sometimes you have to play more sensible cricket.

"The way the wicket was we knew that we might lose two or three in quick succession so that was the idea.

"Last mast match I was pretty fine with the way I was playing. Mostly you want to back whatever way you have played the game but eventually you have got to keep on evolving. There is not one way to play cricket but whatever comes more naturally is always better."

Stumps on Day 1 in Sydney!

Captain Jasprit Bumrah with the opening wicket for #TeamIndia

Australia 9/1, trail by 176 runs.

Scorecard - https://t.co/NFmndHLfxu #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Z3tFKsqwM2
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 3, 2025

Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Australia opener Usman Khawaja with the last ball of the day to give the visitors a sniff at the victory they need to draw the series 2-2.

Bumrah is captaining India in this match with Rohit Sharma left out of the side after a poor run of form, a decision Pant revealed was made by the coaching staff and the player himself.

He said: "It was a management call, I was not part of that conversation.

"Because he has been captain for a long time we see him as leader of the team so it was definitely an emotional decision."