How To Address The Rishabh Pant Dilemma?

Coach Dravid Says He Will Have A Word With ’Keeper-Bat To Show Better Shot Selection, But Does Not Want To Curb His Aggression

- Dwaipayan.Datta

Talk of a rude jolt and the Wanderers loss on Thursday in the second Test was one such for India.

Be it Temba Bavuma’s dropped catch by Shardul Thakur in South Africa’s second innings, or India folding up for 202 after a decent start in the first – there could be quite a few moments we can put our finger on and say that the game slipped away right there. But the one that really stands out and has been a topic of conversation is Rishabh Pant’s mode of dismissal on Wednesday, during India’s second innings.

With the match beautifully poised, Pant, batting at No. 6, tried an almighty heave against Kagiso Rabada and ended up nicking it to the keeper. Social media was abuzz, dissecting the dynamic keeper-batsman’s lapse in concentration while Sunil Gavaskar indicated that coach Rahul Dravid should have a strong word with him. The normally unflappable Cheteshwar Pujara, too, said that shot could be avoided and Dravid would perhaps have a word.