The Indian wk-batter Rishabh Pant has been slammed for his bold and poor shot selection during India’s run chase in the Boxing Day Test against Australia on Monday.
With Australia securing a 2-1 lead, India will be aiming to draw the series by a victory in the final test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The reckless nature of the Indian wk-keeper performance in the series cost him his wicket in the first innings at Melbourne due to which fans have expressed their anger on social media.
Despite initially showing restraint whilst batting alongside opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, Pant lost his wicket after establishing himself at the crease, leaving India in a precarious position.
He stitched a 88-run partnership for the fourth wicket, following the dismissals of India’s top order batters Rohit Sharma (9), KL Rahul (0) and Virat Kohli (5) in quick succession.
Pat Cummins responded to Pant and Jaiswal‘s fight by introducing Travis Head’s part-time spin into the attack which resulted in Pant’s dismissal.
The collapse, thereafter saw India’s downfall losing their last seven wickets for just 34 runs to succumb to 155 all out, as Australia won by 184 runs to take 2-1 lead.
The fans expressed their anger on social media platform X after the match.
Calling Rishabh Pant ‘stupid’ only three times is not enough; he deserves more
Stupid Stupid Stupid
pic.twitter.com/e0wHTmauWQ— Kishore Verma🇮🇳 (@kkverrma) December 30, 2024
Even Rohit Sharma has also advised Pant to work on his shot selection during the post match conference.
“Everyone is disappointed about the result. He needs to understand what is required of himself rather than anyone telling him. In the past, he has given us a lot of success.
“It’s just about the situation. If there’s risk-percentage, do you want to take risk? I know Rishabh for a long time and I understand his cricket.”
“There have been conversations in the past. It’s not that he doesn’t understand what the team needs him. There’s a fine line between telling him what to do and what not do,” he added.
India must win the upcoming game to not only tie the series but also keep their WTC hopes alive. The first match of the Border Gavaskar Trophy will begin on January 03 at Sydney Cricket Ground.
