Former batting legend Sunil Gavaskar was not impressed by the way Rishabh Pant got out on Day 3 of the second Test between India and South Africa in Johannesburg on Wednesday. Pant fell on a three-ball duck while trying for a big shot coming down the pitch but eventually got out.
It was an irresponsible shot from Rishabh Pant, considering that India had lost both their set batters, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, in quick succession a few overs back. An angry Gavaskar stated that there are no excuses for the shot.
“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 Sunil 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 further added.
“That was clever batting” – Sunil Gavaskar on Pujara, Rahane’s approach
Meanwhile, both Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, who were struggling with the bat, have finally returned in form. They both have scored the fifties and stitched a steady 111-run stand for the third wicket that came in just 144 deliveries. This, however, took India’s lead past the 100-run mark as well.
“That was clever batting, clever aggression. They were not looking to hit every ball, mind you. There were some awkward deliveries they had to face,” concluded Sunil Gavaskar.
However, Team India were bundled out for 266 runs, giving South Africa a target of 240 runs as well to win on a challenging pitch at the Wanderers.
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