IND vs SA: Sunil Gavaskar Feels Rishabh Pant's Dismissal Wasn't The Reason For India's Defeat, Says 'Other Batsmen Didn't Make Contribution'

India batting legend Sunil Gavaskar feels that Rishabh Pant’s dismissal in IND vs SA 2nd Test in Johannesburg was not the only reason for the team’s defeat. The former India skipper said that other batsmen also failed to make contributions to the scoreboard, which was a prominent reason for India’s loss in the match by 7 wickets.

Rishabh Pant’s dismissal in the 2nd innings of the match has been largely criticized by many former cricketers and active commentators. The wicket-keeper batsman came out to bat in a sensitive situation in 2nd innings after team lost two quick wickets of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara. After facing Kagiso Rabada’s two dot balls, Pant tried to slam a big shot on the next ball over covers; but was caught by wicketkeeper with an outside edge. Hence, he got out for a three-ball duck.

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Also Read: IND vs SA: Sanjay Manjrekar Feels Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara Should Have Hit 80s or 90s Like Dean Elgar In Johannesburg Test

Rishabh Pant’s Dismissal Was Not The Reason That India Lost: Sunil Gavaskar

While speaking to Star Sports post the match, Sunil Gavaskar said that Rishabh Pant’s dismissal was not the reason for India’s loss in the game.

“Let’s not go about the dismissal. We shouldn’t be making it as if it was the only reason that India lost. I think that other batsmen didn’t make the contribution that they should have. So, I think you could make a point that if India had scored 300 runs in both the innings, it would’ve been different,” Sunil Gavaskar said.

“Whatever you might say about that particular shot, it was not pretty to watch for sure, but it was not the reason that India lost. India should have scored more runs, batting first they had a pretty decent start but they weren’t able to capitalise on it and get to 280-300,” the former India opener further said.

Sunil Gavaskar also pointed out that if Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara managed to build their partnership a little longer, India could have set up a bigger challenge for South Africa.

“And even in the second innings, in the Pujara-Rahane partnership, if they had a little more of a partnership, who knows? They could’ve had set up a bigger challenge for the South Africans,” the 72-year-old further said.

Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara developed a partnership of 111 runs for the 3rd wicket, taking India to a dominant total of 155-2 at one stage. However, both of them lost their wickets in quick succession after reaching their fifties.

Also Read: IND vs SA: He Might See Him Fighting For A Spot- Morne Morkel On Rishabh Pant’s Recent Struggles With The Bat

In the end, Indian team was bowled out for 266 in the 2nd innings and set up a 240-run target for South Africa. The target was easily chased by the home side by 7 wickets with skipper Dean Elgar smashing unbeaten 96. The three-match Test series is tied 1-1 after two games.

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