India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant gave Rassie van der Dussen a hard time while he batted on Day 3 of the second Test match between India and South Africa. It was a payback from Pant who got out earlier in the day after engaging in a war of words with Dussen.
Dussen got under his skin and Pant had to tell the South African to keep his mouth shut. "If you have half-knowledge, then keep your mouth shut,” said Pant, who had a short stay at the crease in India's second innings.
But the 24-year-old was not done there and things only escalated between them as he sledged Dussen in South Africa's second innings. He tried to disturb the Proteas batter with something to say every over.
"He's playing as a sledger," Pant took a jibe at Dussen's lack of runs. When he later saw the South African taking a new guard, Pant commented, "He's taking a fresh guard after every 4-5 balls. He bats at No.4 but he has no idea where his guard is."
Even the commentators were having a laugh at Pant's words and Mark Nicholas said, "Pant is just giving Van der Dussen a bit of tit for tat." India great Sunil Gavaksar responded to Nicholas, "Let me tell you Pant is giving him a lot more tit than tat."
However, Dussen did a fine job surviving the last session and ensured South Africa don't lose any more wickets on Day 3. They are chasing 240 runs, with Dean Elgar on unbeaten 46 and Dussen on 11 not-out, as South Africa reached 118/2 at stumps.
