IND vs SA 2022: When The Match Gets Tight, Rishabh Pant Panics - Wasim Jaffer

Rishabh Pant, according to Wasim Jaffer, still has a long way to go in terms of mental toughness as a captain. Pant “panics a little” in difficult situations, according to the cricketer-turned-analyst, which can only get better with experience. 

Wasim Jaffer’s comments came after the youngster’s second straight loss as Team India’s acting captain. South Africa won the five-match T20I series 2-0 by defeating the hosts by four wickets in Cuttack’s Barabati Stadium. Heinrich Klaasen toyed with the Indian spinners with an 81-run one-man display and completed the 149-run chase with 10 balls to spare. 

Saw Similar Things In The IPL As Well: Wasim Jaffer Worried About Rishabh Pant’s Captaincy

Pant’s captaincy has been heavily criticized after both losses. In the first match, he was criticized for not using leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. When the scenario dictated a fast-bowling-led plan, he was criticized for depending too much on Chahal and the second spinner, Axar Patel. 

In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Wasim Jaffer was asked if Pant’s ideas and strategies alter too frequently. The former opener replied in the affirmative, saying: 

“Yes, we saw something similar in the IPL as well. I feel the more he captains, the better he’ll get. But, yes, at this stage, I think when the match gets tight, he panics a bit.”

South Africa won the second T20I by four wickets and currently leads the five-match series 2-0.

During the first half, Pant, in his maiden IPL season as a full-time skipper, struggled to strike the correct mix between attacking and playing it safe. 

In the second half, he improved, although he made a few DRS blunders and dropped several critical catches at crucial times, which contributed to the Delhi Capitals’ (DC) failure to qualify for the top four. 

India Has Lost Control of The Series: Wasim Jaffer

Wasim Jaffer too believes that India has already lost control of the series. He believes the squad must find a means to overcome the toss advantage. Pant dropped both tosses, and dew aided the Proteas’ chases – and they must continually put in their best effort to make it 3-2. He said: 

“To some extent, yes. Being 2-0 down in a five-match series, if even one of the next three goes even marginally bad [it will be curtains down]. So India will have to play very good cricket irrespective of the toss…” 

Jaffer also agreed that winning the toss will almost certainly mean winning the match for the rest of the series. 

The Ranji Trophy legend said: “Yes, that’s been the story so far. South Africa won both the tosses and both results went their way so India needs to win at least the next two tosses.” 

The third T20I will be played at Visakhapatnam on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. IST, as is customary. 

Also Read: IND vs SA: ‘He Should Play’: Sunil Gavaskar Wants Umran Malik To Be Included In Team India Playing XI For 3rd T20I