Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has lashed out at Rishabh Pant for playing an “irresponsible shot” and losing out his wicket cheaply when the team needed him on day three of the ongoing second Test against South Africa in Johanessburg.
On Wednesday, January 5, Pant got out for 0, trying to hit a charged-up Kagiso Rabada out of the Wanderers Stadium by skipping down the pitch on just the third delivery of his knock and paid a heavy price.
Following his dismissal, former cricketers including Sunil Gavaskar and Chopra questioned Pant’s approach at the crucial juncture of the game, as Team India had already lost well-set Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in quick succession to Rabada on Wednesday in Johnsonburg.
While Gavaskar on-air said that there is no excuse for playing that shot and getting out, Chopra said that Pant let India down by losing his wicket at a crucial juncture.
Chopra told Star Sports, “Honestly, we all say that's his natural game. My way or the highway but that just doesn't cut it. Honestly, there are two non-negotiables in international cricket - respect the conditions and respect the situation. If you have just lost two wickets, this is not how why you respect the situation. You don't just charge down a bowler who has got his tail up.”
He added, “It was an irresponsible shot. Yes, he is 25, he is young, he has got the X-factor, he is someone who all of us want to invest in. He has scored runs in tough conditions, a crucial knock in Australia, the best perhaps an Indian cricketer has played in a long, long time. His keeping has improved leaps and bounds. But there is no excuse for a shot like that. He let the team down.”
Notably, India has taken a lead of 231 runs with one wicket in hand on day three of the ongoing second Test against South Africa in Johnsonburg on Wednesday.
