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Rishabh Pant has been the subject matter of a few headlines once again. However, this time around it is due to his lack of runs and his shot selection. The choice of his stroke which cost his wicket at a crucial situation in the second Test match against South Africa has raised a few eyebrows. While India had lost the wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in quick succession in the second innings and hoped that Pant will build a partnership, sensing the need of the hour, especially with Hanuma Vihari there at the other end, the Delhi Capitals skipper got out for a three-ball duck playing a rash stroke.
The youngster stepped out and tried to go for the big shot only managing an edge that went to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne. Former India opener Sunil Gavaskar criticised Pant for that kind of a shot early in his innings and later his 1983 World Cup-winning teammate Madan Lal also gave his opinion on the same, lambasting the southpaw for his shot.
Wriddhiman Saha is a sensible batsman: Madan Lal
Lal's comments were aired on Aaj Tak where he mentioned that while Pant is a match-winner and there are no two opinions about it but he should rather be given a break at this stage to allow him some time to gather his thoughts. He also highlighted that Wrridhiman Saha could be a more sensible batting option in these conditions than Pant.
"He should be given a break. And you have someone like Wriddhiman Saha. He is a sensible batsman. He is a very good wicketkeeper. But Pant has to decide how he wants to bat in Test cricket. If there is some doubt in his mind, it is better to give him a break. He is a match-winning player, but you cannot bat like this. You have to bat for the team and not for yourself," Lal said.
It has been another low for Pant after the highs of the Australia tour and the home series against England. However, with the kind of skill that he has added with the experience he has collected in a short time, there is no doubt he would be itching to go to the ground and make it count.