“We Will Have A Level Of Conversations With Him” – Rahul Dravid On Rishabh Pant’s Poor Shot Selection

Team India head coach Rahul Dravid has opined that the management will have a conversation with Rishabh Pant over his poor shot selection that has often led to the team’s downfall. Incidentally, Pant was heavily criticised after his three-ball duck in the second innings of the Johannesburg Test.

Meanwhile, India were in trouble in the second innings having lost well-set Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in quick succession. Hanuma Vihari was also looking for some company to help India post a challenging total. But much to everyone’s dismay, Rishabh Pant came dancing down the track and tried to whack Kagiso Rabada out of the park, only to find a faint edge before it landed in the opposition wicket-keeper’s hand.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Rahul Dravid admitted that there is a need to have conversations with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant regarding his shot selection.

“In the sense that, we know Rishabh is a positive player and he plays in a particular manner which has gotten him success. But yeah, of course, there are times, we will have a level of conversations with him around, it is just about the timing of that shot you know. No one is going to tell Rishabh not to be a positive or aggressive player. Sometimes it is about choosing the timing to do that,” the former captain said. 

Meanwhile, India managed to post a target of 240 runs which was easily chased down by South Africa. The Proteas skipper Dean Elgar led the team from the front with an unbeaten 96 to level the series.

“It is about figuring out when is the right time to attack” – Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid further stated that there is no intention to change Rishabh Pant, however, an effort will be made to make him understand the right time to attack.

“When you have just come in, giving yourself some more time would be more advisable. We know what we are getting with Rishabh, he is a very positive player, he is someone who can change the course of the game for us, so we won’t take that away from him and ask him to become something very different. It is about figuring out when is the right time to attack. He is learning, he plays in a particular way but he will keep learning,” he added.

With the series tied at 1-1, the final Test will commence on January 11 at the Newlands in Cape Town.