Rishabh Pant Draws Sharp Criticism From Cricketing Great for Irresponsible Shot During Guwahati Test

After Rishabh Pant and other batters fell, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav's 72-run stand guided India to a respectable total of 201 runs.

Rishabh Pant Draws Sharp Criticism From Cricketing Great for Irresponsible Shot During Guwahati Test

Rishabh Pant was dismissed in a bizarre manner, even leaving former South African pacer Dale Steyn stunned. (via News 18)

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Ace wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant, standing in as the captain of the Indian side for the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati, was criticized after his poor dismissal on Day 3. Pant threw away his wicket in a dismal way, much to the ire of cricketing greats like Dale Steyn and Anil Kumble.

The second Test of the ongoing two-match Test series between India and South Africa at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati is clearly not going the home side’s way, with the visitors having raced to a massive first innings total of 489 runs. All-rounder Senuran Muthusamy top-scored for the Proteas with 109 runs off 206 balls, while Marco Jansen assisted him with a brilliant 93-run innings off just 91 deliveries.

Early on Day 3 in Guwahati, India lost the crucial wickets of KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, and Dhruv Jurel, reeling at 102/4 at the end of the 36th over. Thereafter, a majority of the run-scoring responsibility fell upon Rishabh Pant, who was standing-in as captain for injured Shubman Gill. Himself returning from a foot injury, Pant had to take India closer to the Proteas’ 489-run first innings score. 

However, it turned out to be a nightmare for the Indian wicket-keeper batter, as he threw away his wicket in a shocking manner, early into the second session on the third day of play. While the circumstances required Rishabh Pant to hold on to his wicket, off the second ball of the 38th over by Marco Jansen, he attempted to go for a big hit. He advanced down the track to hit a length delivery for a slog, but it edged past his bat safely into keeper Kyle Verreynne‘s gloves.

With the on-field umpire deeming it out, Pant outrageously decided to review the decision, only to be proved wrong in the end. His poor shot selection was slammed by critics and former players alike, including South African legend Dale Steyn, who concluded that the left-hander had a ‘brain-fade’ moment, when he played the shot. Pant could only manage seven runs off the eight balls he faced.

Apart from Steyn, India great Anil Kumble also blasted out at Pant for his mindless display, noting that the left-hander should have stayed on. Kumble even exclaimed that Pant’s only job was to hang in, with the Guwahati pitch much better than the one at the Eden Gardens. 

Rishabh Pant back in India’s ODI setup for South Africa series, KL Rahul named captain 

Rishabh Pant is back into the Indian ODI setup for the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa at home, with the selectors having announced the 15-member squad. Meanwhile, KL Rahul has been appointed captain of the squad in Shubman Gill’s absence. 

Rishabh Pant return ODI, KL Rahul
Rishabh Pant makes his return to India’s ODI squad for South Africa series, while KL Rahul has been appointed captain. (via Reddit)

The Men in Blue face the Proteas in three ODIs, starting November 30, with the series opener to be played at the JSCA International Cricket Stadium in Ranchi. A number of players will be making their return to the national team setup, including icons Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom have retired from Tests and T20Is. Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma are the others.

For Pant, a return to the ODI setup presents him with the opportunity to take an all-format role. He has featured in a total of 31 matches, scoring 871 runs at an average of 33.5, including five half-centuries and a ton. Despite being a part of the ODI setup for a while now, Pant has, however, struggled to make his place in the playing XI, with his last appearance being against Sri Lanka in August 2024.

It remains to be seen whether the left-hander makes his way into the playing XI, in the absence of Indian ODI captain Shubman Gill. Vice-captain Shreyas Iyer also remains sidelined due to a spleen injury, with his batting spot also up for contention. 

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