Johannesburg: Batting maestro Sunil Gavaskar was not too impressed by the manner in which Rishabh Pant fell on Day 3 of the second Test between India and South Africa in Johannesburg on Wednesday. The wicketkeeper-batsman walked out to bat following two big wickets and had the chance to propel the visitors to a big number.
But the youngster was dismissed in a bizarre way and fell on a three-ball duck while going for a big shot coming down the pitch. Team India had high hopes from wicket-keeper batter in the second innings of Ind vs SA Johannesburg Test, but the way he lost his wicket was a big disappointment for the fans and his team. India has lost quick wickets after Pujara-Rahane’s steady stand and the team expected Pant to play a sensible innings, add valuable runs to extend India’s lead.
Gavaskar, who is in South Africa for the commentary duties, slammed Rishabh for his nonsense shot and said that there’s no excuse for this dismissal. “You have got two new batsmen at the crease and then you saw that shot from Rishabh Pant. Forgettable, no excuses for that shot, no excuses. None of that nonsense about that being his natural game,” said Gavaskar in the commentary box.
“There is supposed to be a bit of responsibility shown. Because there are others taking the blows. There is guys like Rahane and Pujara who have taken it on their body. So you also fight it out. I tell you what, you won’t get too many kind words in the changing room,” he said.
With Pujara and Rahane adding a century partnership for the third Indian wicket, Hanuma Vihari also batted brilliantly with the tail. A unbeaten 40 from Vihari got the total to 266,
and a solid 28 from Shardul Thakur to setting South Africa 240 to win. Gavaskar lauded Pujara and Rahane but reckons their dismissals off Rabada might have changed India putting this match beyond South Africa’s reach.
“India looked as if they were going to grind South Africa into the dust with that partnership. Maybe set an impossible target for them. But then a couple of fabulous deliveries… absolutely top-class deliveries from Rabada got rid of the two well-set batsmen… first getting Ajinkya Rahane with almost a faster leg break and getting the ball to nip back in to dismiss Pujara,” added the former India captain.
