Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has received massive criticism regarding the manner in which he got out in India’s second innings of the recently concluded Johannesburg Test against South Africa.
Pant invited a lot of flak towards him when he decided to go downtown against Kagiso Rabada at a crunch situation of the match. The visitors had lost two set batters in the form of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, and they needed Pant along with Hanuma Vihari to form a vital partnership to put India in a strong position.
However, Pant went for a glory shot against Rabada and ended up getting out for a duck. Vihari, on the hand, stayed unbeaten on 40 as India set a target of 240 runs for the hosts. The Proteas chased that down comfortably with seven wickets in hand. Their captain Dean Elgar played a match-winning knock of 96 not out..
From TV commentators to former cricketers, many criticised Pant for his temperament and lack of match awareness. Even India head coach Rahul Dravid shared his thoughts on Pant’s shot selection, stating that the team management will have some conversation with the wicketkeeper-batter.
Following the bandwagon, ex-India all-rounder Madan Lal has also dropped his thoughts on the red-hot topic. Lal reckoned that Pant has to decide how he wants to bat in the longest format and even suggested the 24-year-old to take a break from Test cricket.
“He should be given a break. And you have someone like Wriddhiman Saha. He is a sensible batsman. He is a very good wicketkeeper. But Pant has to decide how he wants to bat in Test cricket. If there is some doubt in his mind, it is better to give him a break. He is a match-winning player, but you cannot bat like this. You have to bat for the team and not for yourself,” Lal told Aaj Tak.
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