Rishabh Pant is standing at somewhat of a crossroads. Whatever the left-hander does these days attracts a lot of scrutiny, and his latest dismissal would not stop the storm any time soon. The wicketkeeper-batter threw away his wicket in the first innings of the Galle Test against Sri Lanka. Pant was looking set for a big knock, but ended up charging down the wicket against the run of play, only to walk back to the pavilion for 39.
Pant’s innings ended only four deliveries after the second new ball became available on Day 2, following the completion of 80 overs. Debutant off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha immediately put the India wicketkeeper under pressure and succeeded in tempting him into an aggressive stroke. Pant attempted a slog but failed to control the shot, with the ball carrying to the fielder at wide long-off.
The dismissal drew criticism from former India batter Mohammed Kaif, who questioned Pant’s shot selection and decision-making given India’s position in the game.
“I have no complaints about the way Rishabh Pant got out. He plays only like that, but the complaint is about common sense. It was the first over with the new ball. He jumped three times in that over. Common sense means to play the cut shot. See the new ball for five to six overs. This is the Test match tradition. Whoever plays like him also uses common sense,” Kaif said on Sony Sports.
“I was surprised that he jumped on the first ball (of the over). One needs to calculate a little. Even if a batter is on 150, he also plays out a few balls when the new ball comes. I am cutting a few marks there. He was left way behind in logic and cricketing sense,” he added.
Earlier, Pant had lost his wicket in a similar fashion in the warm-up game against SLC XI. On both occasions, he gifted his wicket to the spinner in trying to look for a big slog.
India in driver’s seat
Shubman Gill-led India posted 462 runs on the board owing to Devdutt Padikkal’s maiden Test ton. The visitors suffered a mini collapse on Day 2, but Dhruv Jurel’s half-century ensured that India surpassed the 450-run mark.
KL Rahul was also a standout performer, chipping in with an 82-run knock. India then walked out to bat on Day 3 as well but Prasidh Krishna lasted just four balls and the visitors were bowled out for 462. Earlier, India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bat first in Galle.
