Australia vs India 2018: How Can Rishabh Pant Play Across The Line With India Five Down - VVS Laxman

Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman is not happy with the way Rishabh Pant played in the first innings of the first Test match against Australia at Adelaide. However, India managed to score 250 runs with the loss of nine wickets at the end of day 1.

Pant’s way of batting was nasty

Moreover, Rishabh Pant had scored 25 runs in the first essay. Laxman feels that Pant was unable to control his thoughts and thus made a mistake. VVS Laxman also added that one should play his natural game keeping in mind what the team also needs from him.

“It is all about focus and all about concentration. And when Rishabh Pant was playing it was very evident that he was not able to control the thoughts which were going in mind. You cannot be in that space of mind; you cannot be restless, VVS Laxman said.

Especially in the situations, I have played with some of the best, and some of them have been phenomenal stroke players. You go out and play out your natural game but it’s very important that natural game should be in line what the team demands from you,” the 44-year-old added.

Furthermore, Pant came into bat after India lost their five wickets. He was playing with experienced Cheteshwar Puraja who played a fine knock of 123 runs. VVS Laxman further said that Pant his young in his career and he need to realise the team’s requirement. Rishabh Pant played an inferior shot off Nathan Lyon’s delivery and got out in the middle when India was struggling to get runs. The 21-year-old went tried to go after the bowling, but he failed to mix caution with aggression.

“You can’t go and say this is my natural game and while playing that natural game I get out. It cannot happen like that, and I think Rishabh Pant his young in his career, but he has to realise that he has to play to the demands of the team. If that means you have to fight it out, you play your natural game, but you play high percentage shots. So what Pant didn’t try to do was to play the high percentage shots.” VVS Laxman added.