India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is known for his unusual way of batting and unorthodox shot-making. While such shots are highly successful and look pleasing to the eye, there are also instances when Pant throws his wicket with such high-risk shots.
During the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India in Melbourne, Pant was out while playing an unorthodox shot which led to the fall of his wicket. He was severely criticized by the former cricketers. Former Australia cricketer Stuart Clark was also one of them and gave his views on the dismissal.
Stuart Clark analyses Rishabh Pant’s dismissal at the Boxing Day Test
While speaking to the news agency PTI, Stuart Clark was asked about Rishabh Pant’s wicket that slided India further. Clark wasn’t particularly disappointed with the shot selection but showed his concern about the timing of the shot.
“I think you’ve got to be careful with Rishabh Pant because he plays those and we all sit here and sing how good a shot it actually was. So, the fact he got it wrong, I think it’s more the timing of when he played the shot, which is the issue,” Clark said.
The former Australian quick further backed Rishabh Pant to keep playing such shots as he has been highly successful while playing them. He called Pant a world-class cricketer but believes that the shot was played at the wrong time.
“Because we’ve seen him play it so many times and been so successful at it. We don’t want to crucify him for getting it wrong occasionally because he’s a world-class player but just the moment in the game, didn’t call for it and he got it wrong,” Clark added.
VIDEO | EXCLUSIVE: Here’s what Former Australian cricketer Stuart Clark said on Rishabh Pant’s dismissal in the ongoing Melbourne Test.
“I think you’ve got to be careful with Rishabh Pant because he plays those and we all sit here and sing how good a shot it actually was. So,… pic.twitter.com/ed1czMqRFZ
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 28, 2024
How was Rishabh Pant dismissed?
Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja started the day well with some careful batting and putting the bad balls away. However, Pant looked to play some audacious shots after he got set. He was dismissed while trying to play one of the unorthodox shots which wasn’t really called for.
Scott Boland bowled a full ball outside off stump which Pant tried to scoop towards fine leg by moving across the stumps. But the wicketkeeper didn’t connect properly and got a huge leading edge to be taken by Nathan Lyon.
The dismissal looked ugly as Pant was looking at ease during that period. He was scoring runs easily with the singles and doubles. However, he was dismissed after a good start for 28 off 37 balls. It was a huge moment in the game as Australia sensed a chance to knock India over quickly.
Sunil Gavaskar brutally slams Rishabh Pant
Legendary India opener Sunil Gavaskar was clearly furious with Rishabh Pant’s shot selection and brutally slammed him. Gavaskar used words like “stupid” while describing Pant’s shot selection and blamed his naturally aggressive game.
“Stupid, stupid, stupid! You have two fielders there, you still go for that shot. That is throwing away your wicket,” Gavaskar said on the commentary.
Meanwhile, India were struggling when Ravindra Jadeja was dismissed for 17. At that time, they were still more than 50 runs behind but Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy steadied the innings with some brave batting display.
Both the youngsters showed great determination to frustrate Australian bowlers and pushed India past the follow-on target. Reddy continued his good form with the bat while Sundar gave him good company.