SA v IND 2021-22: "This is not how you should play Test cricket," Gambhir criticizes Pant's dismissal in the second innings

Rishabh Pant was dismissed on a duck while going for a lofted shot off Kagiso Rabada.

Rishabh Pant | GETTY

Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir wasn't pleased with Rishabh Pant's batting approach on Day 3 in the ongoing second Test match against South Africa. Pant was dismissed on a duck by Kagiso Rabada in the second innings while he tried to go for a lofted shot dancing down the track.

Rassie Van der Dussen welcomed the wicketkeeper-batter on the crease with a few words. It worked as Pant was irked and he tried to attack Rabada the next delivery which cost him his wicket.

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Gambhir slammed the youngster for playing a rash shot when India needed him to add important runs as they were setting up a target. "The easier thing to do is to keep sledging someone and the toughest thing is what you have to face when you have a bat in your hand.

"I would have liked Rishabh to probably fight in that situation rather than stepping out and going for a big one," the ex-cricketer said on the post-stumps show on Star Sports.

South Africa captain Dean Elgar stood for his side on Day 3 and added unbeaten 46 runs off 121 balls. He endured a few blows on his body and also went through the sledging in the second innings.

Gambhir said Pant should learn a lot of things from Elgar and understand that he is playing against world-class bowlers who won't gift him runs.

"Disappointment is a very, very understated word to be honest because this is not how you should play Test cricket. 

"Test cricket is about learning a lot from Dean Elgar and that’s the reason I have said that a lot of young Indian batters can learn a lot from Dean Elgar as well because when you play against world-class bowlers, they are not going to give you easy runs," he added.

South Africa need another 122 runs to win the second Test match and level the series. They ended Day 3 with 118/2 on the scoreboard.

(With Star Sports Inputs)

 
 

By Sihyeu Singh - 06 Jan, 2022

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