Rishabh Pant’s shot selection during the first innings of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne sparked a wave of criticism. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter was dismissed for 28 off 39 deliveries while attempting an aggressive shot, leading former India captain Sunil Gavaskar to term his approach as “stupid.” However, former head coach Ravi Shastri came to Pant’s defense, urging critics to assess his dismissals across the series more fairly.
Shastri Highlights Pant’s Tough Dismissals
Speaking to Star Sports, Shastri emphasized that Pant’s dismissals weren’t always a result of reckless shots. He pointed to instances in the Adelaide Test where Pant was undone by quality deliveries.
“Let’s calm down here, guys. It’s not every time he’s throwing it away. In Adelaide, he received some really good deliveries. One delivery left him off the length, giving him no chance to attack, and another one saw him caught behind after being forced into a mistake,” Shastri explained.
He further added that Pant’s dismissals in the second innings of Adelaide were unfortunate rather than rash. “Second ball of the day, Starc bowled a good one, and he nicked it. These were not moments of poor shot selection; he simply faced high-quality bowling.”
Shastri’s Advice for a More Mature Approach
While defending Pant’s instincts as an attacking batter, Shastri also advised him to adopt a more balanced approach in certain situations. The former India all-rounder pointed out that Pant’s reputation as an aggressive player puts him at a disadvantage when the field is spread, and he continues to attack.
“Pant had done the hard work to spread the field. That’s where maturity should come in. Instead of taking unnecessary risks, he should focus on knocking the ball around and collecting singles,” Shastri suggested.
“A High-Risk Shot That Didn’t Work”
Analyzing the dismissal in Melbourne, Shastri admitted that Pant’s shot was high-risk, with multiple fielders stationed on the boundary. “There was a fly slip, fine leg, and two boundary fielders in place. It was a well-set trap. He backed himself to clear the field, but it didn’t come off the face of the bat,” Shastri noted.
While acknowledging that such instincts define Pant’s natural style, Shastri said the young batter must pick his moments better. “If that shot had connected, it would’ve been a six. That’s the way Pant plays, and he’s one of those rare players who can take the game away. However, he needs to strike a balance between aggression and caution.”
The Path Forward for Pant
Ravi Shastri’s comments underline the need for Pant to evolve as a batter without compromising his attacking instincts. While his ability to take on bowlers makes him a match-winner, developing maturity in shot selection could make him an even greater asset for the Indian team in the future.
