Indian team’s wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant’s journey from zero to hero and hero to zero continues. The Test series being played in this latest tour of South Africa (South Africa vs India Test). Series, 2021-2022), he seems to be getting out in a very bad way on very delicate occasions.
He was dismissed for zero in the second innings of the second match of the three-match Test series being played at the Wanderers ground in Johannesburg. That too at a time when India needed his understanding. He thought of taking a shot on the ball of South Africa’s deadly fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and was caught behind. He faced only 3 balls and had to measure his way to the pavilion.
Sunil Gavaskar, the Bhishma Pitamah of the cricket world, criticized Rishabh Pant’s reckless attempt, former Indian team opener Aakash Chopra also took Rishabh Pant’s class for it. In his special statement on ‘Star Sports’, he said that Pant should have understood the situation, he should not have played a thoughtless shot on Rabada’s ball. Because, he had already dismissed two batsmen. And now he was seen bowling in full swing.
In fact, Rishabh himself also looked annoyed with the way he was dismissed and while returning to the pavilion after getting out, the expression of despair and desperation could be seen on his face.
Aakash Chopra said, “Honestly Pant (Rishabh Pant wicket-keeper Batsman) would say that this is my game. But, this is not true every time. In International Cricket Rishabh Pant you have to do two things- first is to take stock of the circumstances and also respect the situation. If you have just lost two wickets (Team India in Second Inning against South Africa Johannesburg Test Match, 2022), then how are you playing like that. You are doing this against a bowler who took two wickets.
Aakash Chopra further said, “It was an irresponsible shot. Yes, he (Rishabh Pant) is 25 years old and he has the X factor, he is the kind of player we can invest in. He has scored runs in difficult conditions, played important innings in Australia (Australia vs India Test Series 2020-2021 Rishabh Pant). His keeping has also improved. But even then there is no point in playing such shots. They have let the team down.”
It is worth noting that in the batting of Team India’s second innings, Hanuma Vihari scored 266 runs thanks to the scintillating innings of 40 runs. Vihari remained not out. Shardul Thakur also scored 28 runs. In India’s second innings, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane batted well and scored important half-centuries for the team.
– Vinay Kumar