Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant scored a patient 106-ball 50 in the second innings of the fourth Test at The Oval. Prior to this innings, the southpaw had scored just 96 runs in six innings in the series.
Pant added 100 runs with Shardul Thakur to take India from 312/6 to 412/7, helping India gain a lead of over 300 runs. India was eventually bowled out for 466, setting a target of 368 runs for England to chase.
Former India batsman and the assistant coach of Delhi Capitals (DC) Mohammad Kaif was asked if he had spoken to Pant considering the youngster is DC’s captain. The former India player said that he had asked Pant to trust his defense but did not receive a reply back.
"I had sent a message - trust your defense. But he did not send a reply, he replied with his bat. I was happy that he put a value on his wicket and tried to change himself, that he has to play defensively and leave the ball,” Kaif said in a discussion on Sony Sports Network.
He added that the half-century would help Pant in the future.
"The foot also came forward. There was no shortcoming seen in his defense. When he made up his mind, told himself that he can defend, he was playing with soft hands, this will make him a better player in the future,” he said.
England needs 291 runs to win with 10 wickets to spare on the final day.
