Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has said that Rishabh Pant needs to figure out how to play risk-free shots during the post-match conference of the fourth test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
India suffered an 184-run defeat at Melbourne Cricket Ground with the host team taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The Boxing Day test saw many ups and downs on Day 05, but the visitors bottled an opportunity to draw the game due to back-to-back dismissals.
Rishabh Pant has been receiving dismissals in both innings. In the first innings, he got out playing a reverse sweep and had a similar dismissal on day 05 which ultimately led to a slide of India’s batting line-up.
Rohit Sharma reacted to Rishabh Pant’s dismissal and called for more responsibility and maturity from the wk-batter whilst also acknowledging the latter’s past brilliance.
“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. As a captain, there’s a mixed reaction.”
“We back when it comes off but when it doesn’t, is frustrating. There has to be a balance. As a captain it’s very hard to have a conversation when it’s given him a lot of success,” said Rohit Sharma.
Rohit added that conversations regarding Pant’s approach in Test cricket have happened in the past but he needs to self realise his shortcoming rather than someone else taking the initiative for him.
“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.
