08 January,2022 07:28 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh Mayure
Rishabh Pant walks back after being dismissed by SA’s Kagiso Rabada during the third day of the second Test. Pic/AFP
Rishabh Pant's approach was once again the talking point after India lost the second Test against South Africa at the Wanderers as the visitors missed the opportunity to clinch a historic series win in the Rainbow Nation.
India, who were 1-0 up going into the second Test, lost the second match by seven wickets, thanks to some a batting masterclass by South African captain Dean Elgar (96 not out) as the hosts achieved the 240-run target with ease on Day Four on Thursday.
Pant scored 17 and 0 in the Johannesburg Test. His dismissal by pacer Kagiso Rabada off a poor shot saw India go five down for 167 in the second innings. Facing just his third ball, Pant stepped out to Rabada in an attempt to smash the ball over extra cover, but ended up edging it to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne.
Even batting icon Sunil Gavaskar, who was on commentary duty, expressed his disappointment.
India head coach Rahul Dravid said the team management will speak to the wicketkeeper-batsman about his shot selection, but stressed that Pant's aggressive style will be backed too. "We know Rishabh plays positively and he plays in a particular manner and that has got him a little bit of success. But of course there are times when we're going to have some level of conversations with him around, just a little bit of maybe just selection of the time to play that [shot]," Dravid said during the post-match virtual press conference on Thursday.
"He's learning. No one's ever going to tell Rishabh not to be a positive player, not to be an aggressive player, but sometimes it's just a question of picking and choosing the time to do that. I think when you just come in, maybe giving yourself a bit more time might be a little bit more advisable, but look, in the end we know what we're getting with Rishabh - he is a really positive player, he's someone who can change the course of a game very quickly for us," Dravid added.
Meanwhile, Dravid is hopeful Test captain Virat Kohli will return for the third and final Test against Proteas which begins in Cape Town on Tuesday. Kohli was ruled out of the Johannesburg Test due to a back spasm.
