India faced a humiliating loss against England in the third Test match at Headingley, Leeds. The batting of team India looked fragile in both the innings of the match. Also, the wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant was massively criticized by fans and experts for his poor performance. Meanwhile, Aakash Chopra has joined the party of Pant critics.
So far Rishabh Pant has scored only 87 runs in the three matches in the five-match series against England. His average is also extremely poor which is below 20. He has been repeatedly trapped by the length deliveries angled across him.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra labeled Rishabh Pant as a ‘big concern’. He mentioned that India is playing 5 bowlers because they have a lot of trust in Pant’s batting abilities. He said:
“Rishabh Pant is looking the big concern to me. The way he is batting, you are playing five bowlers because you know you have Rishabh Pant, who is a fabulous batsman, and that is why you are not playing Wriddhiman Saha.”
1st Inning – 2
2nd Inning – 1Today is 1st time, Rishabh Pant got out on Single Digit Score in both test Inning#INDvENG
— CricBeat (@Cric_beat) August 28, 2021
The cricketer-turned-commentator also criticized Rishabh Pant’s approach in batting when India was struggling. Aakash Chopra stated:
“But if he doesn’t score runs, it will be a problem. There will be a problem with his way of playing. Your team is stuck, and you are stepping out and playing. My way or the highway works, but I think that is an area of concern.”
“Pant after Ajinkya, then Jadeja and four proper bowlers. It’s not a great thing.”: Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra highlighted that if Rishabh Pant’s poor run continues India might start thinking to promote Ravindra Jadeja ahead of him in the batting order. Former Indian opener asserted:
“In the next match, India might start thinking to promote Jadeja and demote Rishabh because the five-bowler theory looks good to hear, but it means Pant after Ajinkya, then Jadeja and four proper bowlers. It’s not a great thing.”
The 43-year-old also mentioned how Ollie Robinson has dominated Rishabh Pant in the series so far. Notably, Robinson has dismissed Indian wicket-keeper a total of 4 times in the series so far. Aakash Chopra said:
“You expect from him, and you only throw stones at a tree that bears fruit. You look towards an X-factor and ask him to score runs. Rishabh Pant will have to really change his tack very quickly. He is a class player, but till now, his number is in Ollie Robinson’s pocket.”
England win the third #ENGvIND Test at Headingley & level the series 1-1 against #TeamIndia.
We will look to bounce back in the fourth Test, starting September 2.
Scorecard 👉 https://t.co/FChN8SDsxh pic.twitter.com/bwV926w2Vt
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 28, 2021
