Rishabh Pant's reckless dismissal ignites heated clash between Mark Waugh, Michael Hussey
Published - 28 Dec 2024, 02:09 PM | Updated - 28 Dec 2024, 11:36 PM
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Former Australia National Cricket Team players in Mark Waugh and Michael Hussey were involved in a massive argument over the dismissal of Rishabh Pant in the ongoing fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne. The keeper-batter went back in a bizarre way and invited a lot of criticism.
Rishabh Pant has become the massive talking point over his dismissal in the ongoing fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The keeper-batter got out while attempting to play a wild shot, especially when the team was in trouble.
Rishabh Pant did a great job at the start of day three as the keeper-batter played very defensively in the first hour. He did all the hard work but wasted it all with the way he got out. He played a false shot against Scott Boland as the India National Cricket Team lost six wickets.
Scott Boland went round the wicket and bowled a full ball around off. Rishabh Pant crouched low and attempted the lap scoop. He got a top edge and the ball flew down to third man, where the ball was safely pouched by Nathan Lyon as he was back in the hut after scoring 28 runs.
That’s an awful shot when his team needed him to make an innings - Mark Waugh on Rishabh Pant's wicket
Mark Waugh came with severe criticism for the 'awful shot' played by Rishabh Pant. He said that although the batter plays an aggressive brand of cricket, he needs to have some boundaries with the shots he plays. Speaking on Fox Cricket, he explained:
“That’s an awful shot when his team needed him to make an innings. I get it he’s an aggressive player, and I want to see him be aggressive, but you’ve still got to have some boundaries with the shots you play. There’s got to be a level of restraint and percentages in your favour and that shot falling."
I don’t want him to change the way he plays - Michael Hussey supports Rishabh Pant
Michael Hussey, however, came in support of Rishabh Pant, saying that the batter is at his best when he’s clear and free and playing his natural way. He said that he is disappointed with the shot keeper-batter played but he should continue playing that. He explained:
"It is a difficult situation because it’s not a great shot and it’s not a great look, especially for an Indian team looking to fight hard. But you don’t want to put doubt in his mind, he’s at his best when he’s clear and free and playing his natural way. I’d be disappointed with the shot, I’m sure he’d be disappointed with the shot, but I don’t want him to change the way he plays."
That’s why you’re not head coach, just assistant coach - Mark Waugh on Michael Hussey
Hussey also mentioned that if he were a coach, he would accept a player getting out in that fashion. This made Mark Waugh sledge him, saying that that's why is the assistant coach and not head coach. He added:
"That’s why you’re not head coach, just assistant coach."
Michael Hussey has been part of the support staff at the Chennai Super Kings in IPL. He also served as the assistant coach for the England men's team in their victorious 2022 T20 World Cup campaign.
