IND vs SA: Rishabh Pant Should Be Given A Break, Says Madan Lal
Published - 08 Jan 2022, 06:54 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:03 AM
Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal reckoned that wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant should be given a break from Test cricket for him to figure out his batting style.
Pant made his Test debut for India in 2018 and subsequently pipped Wriddhiman Saha as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper because of his ability to score in a free-flowing manner. Pant was the architect behind India’s memorable win in Brisbane in the final Test against Australia as his incredible 89* helped them to chase a daunting target of 328.
South Africa levelled the series 1-1 against India
In the second innings of the Johannesburg Test, Rabada bowled a short ball to Pant that pinged his gloves but didn’t go aerial.
But the very next delivery, Pant came down the track to smash Rabada’s short ball, which he got a thin edge to his counterpart Kyle Verreynne behind the stumps to depart on 34 runs from as many deliveries.
India could get a moderate lead of 239 runs in the second innings, it wasn’t enough as the Proteas chased the target riding on their captain Dean Elgar’s valiant 96.
Rishabh Pant has to decide how he wants to bat in Test cricket: Madan Lal
Madan Lal is of the opinion that Saha is a calm and composed batter and Pant needs to be rested for a short period.
“He should be given a break. You have someone like Wriddhiman Saha, who is a sensible batter, and a very good wicket-keeper,” Lal said on Aaj Tak.
“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,” he added.
India will play against South Africa in the third Test at the Newlands in Cape Town, the match begins on January 11. The three-match Test series is currently locked at 1-1.
