Rassie Van Der Dussen Calls Rishabh Pant’s Dismissal In Johannesburg Test A Massive Moment In Series

South African batter Rassie van der Dussen termed India’s batter-keeper Rishabh Pant’s rash dismissal in the second Test between the two sides, a massive moment in the recently concluded three-match series which the hosts won 2-1. Vd Dussen felt that this moment gave the Proteas a mental advantage over the Indians which helped them come back in the series.

Van der Dussen was seen having some banter with the Indian wicketkeeper-batter at the Wanderers during India’s second innings. Both the players were at each other during that Test match with Pant having some words with the Proteas batter when he came to bat as well.

However, when Pant came out to bat in India’s second innings, he went for a wide slog at Kagiso Rabada on the third ball he faced but was out caught for a duck.

It Was A Moment Of Me Asking Rishabh (Pant) A Few Questions: Rassie Van Der Dussen

Indian batting collapsed after Pant’s dismissal and despite the best efforts of Indian bowlers at defending a small total, Dean Elgar’s 96* proved to be too much for them as South Africa leveled the series by winning the second Test.

“It was a moment of me asking Rishabh (Pant) a few questions. Maybe he didn’t enjoy it too much. I’m not sure why. But there was certainly no hostility from my end. Maybe the way he took it – offence is taken and not given.

“I was at a nice position at short leg. I had access to him in that sense. And I could ask him a few questions. There was never any hostility. And from there, it just sort of blew up. When I went out to bat, they reciprocated quite nicely. It’s part of the game. It’s Test cricket. It’s tough out there, and everyone’s trying to level basically to gain an inch,” Dussen told ESPNCricinfo.

“I don’t know if he would have played that shot if I wasn’t there or if I didn’t say anything. I know by nature he is that sort of player. In hindsight, it actually worked out very well for us, because I think that was a massive moment in the Test series for sure,” he added.

India went on to lose the second and third Tests by seven wickets each. Van der Dussen said that he enjoys having some banter with the opposition players.

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