Once again questions have arisen regarding Rishabh Pant’s shot selection in the Guwahati Test. According to the available information, Pant was out after scoring only 7 runs in the first innings of the second Test against South Africa and the way he was out has increased the problems of the team.
Let us tell you that Shubman Gill is not playing in this match due to neck injury, in such a situation, restrained batting was expected from Pant as the captain. But immediately after the tea break, he could not stay on the crease and while trying for a big shot, he gave his catch to keeper Kyle Verreyne by giving a slight edge. At that time the team needed patience and partnership, but the risky shot has put India under more pressure.
It is worth noting that Pant has been out many times before with similar hasty shots. This is the reason why questions are being raised on both his captaincy and decision making ability. Former selector Saba Karim has given a strong reaction on this. “There doesn’t seem to be any logical reason for this shot. Perhaps for the first time in his Test career, Pant himself will find it difficult to justify it. As the captain, he should have managed the team and set the right example under pressure,” he told ESPNcricinfo.
India’s first innings was all out for 201, while South Africa scored 489 runs and took a huge lead of 288 runs. Karim said that the problem was not Pant’s natural aggression, but the wrong decision at the wrong time. He said, “You can play your natural game, but patience is also important. By playing high-risk shots at such a juncture, he has put the team in trouble and now it has become very difficult for India to make a comeback.”
The current situation shows that the Indian team is once again struggling with the lack of discipline and restraint and Pant’s decision has made the team’s situation more complicated.