Rishabh Pant named villain in India’s Kolkata Test disaster by Gautam Gambhir’s ex-teammate

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has shockingly blamed Rishabh Pant for India’s embarrassing 30-run defeat to South Africa in the two-match Test series opener at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 16.

While many criticized Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir for preparing such a disastrous surface for the first Test at the Eden Gardens, Kaif felt it was Rishabh Pant’s leadership that cost the hosts dearly.

Mohammad Kaif criticizes Rishabh Pant’s captaincy in India’s shock loss at Eden Gardens

With Shubman Gill forced to retire hurt early in the first innings, Rishabh Pant had to step up as stand-in captain, and Kaif believes that his field placements and tactical decisions cost India crucial moments against South Africa on the already tricky surface in Kolkata.

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The former Indian batter has pointed out that the South African side had been struggling at 91/7 in the second innings, yet they were allowed to crawl back to 153, thanks to easy singles and poorly set fields at the Eden Gardens.

India’s four spinners bowled on a turning pitch, but the visitors kept taking singles almost at will, exposing gaps in Pant’s strategy.

Mohammed Kaif said in a video on his YouTube channel, “We gave them too many singles. Is it easy to score against four spinners on a turning track? Keep a mid-on, bring the point up, and ask the batters to take the challenge. The fielders were behind, and 70-80% of their runs came in singles. Pant kept an in-and-out field with Gill not there, and that also had an effect. He also took some time to understand things.”

Mohammad Kaif calls Shubman Gill’s absence a major blow in India's Kolkata Test defeat

Kaif also highlighted the massive impact of missing Shubman Gill. He felt Gill could have provided stability and possibly changed the game, but his absence left India under pressure while chasing a modest target of 124.

Ultimately, India crumbled for 93, handing South Africa a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series. The final test is scheduled in Guwahati from November 22. He further noted, “There would have been a difference if Gill was there. He could not play both innings. If we got a better lead, say 50, 60, or 100 runs, we would put South Africa out of the game there itself.

It was a miss. Not having him on the field as captain was also a miss. In the second innings he was not there in the chase. So, there is definitely a direct connection, as Gill is one of our best batters at the moment. He is in form as well; such a player can save you in such situations.”

Read Also: Shubman Gill confirmed for Guwahati Test vs South Africa as travelling dates revealed

Mohammad Kaif hails Temba Bavuma's captaincy

Meanwhile, Mohammad Kaif praised the South African captain, Temba Bavuma, for his smart captaincy and tactical moves. During India’s chase, Washington Sundar had settled on 31, but Bavuma brought in Aiden Markram at the right moment, and he dismissed the Indian all-rounder, and that was the turning point of the game at the Eden Gardens.

Additionally, Kaif highlighted that South Africa’s strength lay in their sharp fielding and intelligent bowling changes. Even without their star pacer Kagiso Rabada, Bavuma’s leadership and the team’s fielding helped secure them a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series.