Some players play by the live by the sword and die by the sword modus operandi, and no one epitomizes this belief better than Rishabh Pant.
While Pant’s batting is entertaining and highly edge-of-your-seat stuff, his dismissals often are polarizing. The same was the case for his innings in IND vs SL 1st Test in Galle.
The southpaw took the attack to the Lankan bowlers, smashing four fours and a six in his knock of 39 runs off 62 balls, managing a healthy strike rate of 62. However, the mode of Pant’s wicket, caught by the mid-off fielder while attempting a big shot, evoked annoyance and frustration from Indian fans and experts.
India ended day 2 in Galle at the score of 460/9. India have gained a huge upper hand with this total on a pitch that has shown signs of turn, but many believe India, and in particular Pant, could have batted Sri Lanka out of the Test and buried them under a total in excess of 500.
Rishabh Pant plays like that only, but the complaint is about common sense: Mohammad Kaif
Having played impressively, Pant played one shot too many, which led to his downfall. Pant skipped down the pitch to off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha, who turned the ball away from the left-hander, attempting a maximum.
The off-spinner smartly slowed down his delivery, put it a little away from the charging Pant well outside the off-stump, and gave the ball a bit more air than usual. Consequently, Pant mishit his big shot, and the leading edge was comfortably taken by the fielder running around from wide mid-off.
Pant walked back distraughtly to the dressing room, leaving everyone wondering what his innings could have materialized into had he batted for a longer period.
Former India batsman and cricket expert Mohammad Kaif lamented Pant’s shot selection. While Kaif accepted Pant’s mindset, he reckoned the southpaw needs to use more “common sense,” which would be beneficial for both the team and Pant himself.
Speaking on Sony Sports, Kaif said, “I have no complaints about the way Rishabh Pant got out. He plays like that only, but the complaint is about common sense. It was the first over with the new ball. He jumped three times in that over. Common sense means play the cut shot. See the new ball for five to six overs. This is the Test match tradition. Whoever plays like him also uses common sense.”
Kaif expressed astonishment at Pant’s decision to charge at Nuwantha when the off-spinner was operating with the new ball.
“I was surprised that he jumped on the first ball. One needs to calculate a little. Even if a batter is on 150, he also plays out a few balls when the new ball comes. I am cutting a few numbers there. He was left way behind in logic and cricketing sense,” the former batter added.
Indeed, Pant’s dismissal triggered India losing their way a bit. India went from being 307/2 before Pant’s dismissal to 447/9, i.e., 8 wickets for 140 runs, ahead of the close of play.
Earlier, Pant had been removed as the vice-captain of the Indian Test team. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had then suggested that the decision was taken in order to allow Pant to be at his best as a batsman knowing his crucial position in the Test team.
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