Former South African pacer Shaun Pollock has weighed in on Rishabh Pant’s controversial dismissal on Day 3 of the second Test in Guwahati. Pollock acknowledged Pant’s natural tendency to counterattack but felt the wicketkeeper-batter would likely avoid playing such a shot again in a similar scenario.
On a day when India’s batting collapsed dramatically, Pant’s dismissal drew the most attention. With India desperate for a steady partnership, the stand-in skipper charged down the pitch to attack Marco Jansen in just the second over after Tea. He edged the ball to the keeper and, despite reviewing the decision, was given out for 7, leaving India reeling at 105/5.
When Murali Kartik asked him to break down the left-hander’s shot choice, Pollock explained that Pant should have held back for a few more overs, as he has the ability to wear bowlers down and then attack effectively. Pollock told Cricbuzz:
“He definitely went with his heart, didn’t he? They bowled a bouncer and then they place a short leg in and he charges down, nicking off. I suppose the nature of the individual means that you kind of get it. You get where he’s coming from. Does it make sense when you get out like that? It doesn’t make sense.”
“It doesn’t matter how we can try and sugarcoat it. It just doesn’t look right. Particularly, given how destructive he can be in the situation. If he absorbs pressure for a little period there, he can apply some massive pressure against the spinners in particular and put them on the back foot.”
Pollock Believes Pant’s Risky Shot Was An Attempt To Assert His Captaincy
The former fast bowler, who played 108 Tests, suggested that Rishabh Pant may have attempted that shot to assert himself as captain, stating that:
“It is a case of a captain wanting to make a statement and try to get his troops to follow. Did he need to show a bit of a grit and determination? Did he need to be a bit more calculated about what he did? I would tend to suggest that even as he sits there now, he’s thinking to himself, today it was probably the wrong call or the timing of it was wrong. I could’ve maybe done a little bit later but I can’t see him sitting and thinking I would do it again.”
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