Pant's Costly Dismissal Puts India in Deep Trouble
Stand-in captain Rishabh Pant found himself at the center of controversy once again after another impulsive shot led to his early dismissal during the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati. The wicketkeeper-batsman, already under scrutiny for similar dismissals in recent matches, managed to score only 7 runs before falling at a crucial moment when India desperately needed stability.
Collapse After Tea Break
Pant walked out to bat after the tea break but survived only briefly at the crease. In a move that baffled cricket experts and fans alike, the captain charged down the track attempting a big hit across the line, only to edge the ball faintly to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne. This dismissal came at a time when India were already struggling with Shubman Gill unavailable due to a neck injury, putting additional pressure on Pant's leadership and decision-making abilities.
Expert Criticism and Team Consequences
Former selector Saba Karim didn't mince words while criticizing Pant's shot selection during his appearance on ESPNCricinfo. "There's no logical explanation for this," Karim stated emphatically. "Perhaps for the first time in his Test career, even Rishabh Pant himself might struggle to justify that shot. It came right after tea, and as captain he is expected to shoulder responsibility."
The consequences of Pant's dismissal were severe as India collapsed to 201 all out in response to South Africa's massive first innings total of 489 runs. This gave the visitors a commanding 288-run lead, leaving the hosts with an enormous challenge to save the match.
Karim emphasized that the issue wasn't Pant's natural attacking approach but rather his timing and judgment. "You can still play your own game, but that has to come with patience," he explained. "Attempting a high-risk shot at that stage put the whole team in a difficult corner. India are now in a very tough position, and recovering from here will not be easy."
The former selector pointed out that Pant has sufficient experience at the international level to demonstrate better game awareness and should lead by example when the team faces pressure situations.
