Rishabh Pant will be under the spotlight when the two-Test series between India and Sri Lanka begins with the first match in Galle from August 15 onwards. The left-handed keeper-batter is only chosen in Tests for India and recently lost the vice-captaincy in the format to KL Rahul.
It seems like Rishabh Pant’s mind is cluttered, and it was also evident in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026), where he captained the Lucknow Super Giants.
Pant was also puzzled by the recent warm-up match against the SLC XI in a practice game before the first Test, as he found it difficult to stick to one strategy. He got out to a careless shot early in the first innings. He went into his shell during the second innings, but in the end, he played another aerial shot before returning to the pavilion.
Pant has been told to play his natural game ahead of the first Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle because only then will he perform at his best. Additionally, the administration of the team has been pushed to allow the batter to hit however he pleases.
“He should bat exactly the way he usually does. I remember a few matches back where he was overtly defensive. I would rather have him get out going for a six than get out playing a forceful defence. Rishabh should get the freedom to attack, and that's also his strength. Also, Sri Lanka's spinners are predominantly left-arm spinners. So, Rishabh being in form and having the right mindset is crucial for India in this series,” former India batter Deep Dasgupta said on his YouTube channel.
Additionally, Dasgupta stated that it is time to quit worrying about batters getting out when attempting an overhead shot. It all depends on the player's actual strength, he continued.
"This word, 'responsibility', is a complicated word. The viewers' mindset is also strange: if a batter defends and gets out, that's not irresponsible. But if someone plays a shot and gets out, it becomes irresponsible. The truth is, certain batters have defence as their strength, while it's attack for others. But getting out while defending has become acceptable, whereas it's deemed irresponsible or rash if it's an attacking shot," said Dasgupta.
“Instead, you should analyse if the timing was right or if it was the right bowler to attack. But most of us judge a dismissal only by whether it's an attacking shot. We must understand that an attacking batter will get out playing a shot 8 out of 10 times. So, it's important not to just say things for the heck of it,” he added.
This will be the first time Rishabh Pant will play a Test in Sri Lanka, as India is touring the country for red-ball games for the first time since 2017.
