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A lot has been said and discussed in recent times about Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant’s batting style and shot selection. In the recently-concluded three-match Test series between India and South Africa, Pant’s shot selection became a central point of various debates. Now once again, Pant's playing style has gained attention after he played another poor shot in the third ODI against South Africa on January 23 (Sunday).
The Indian wicketkeeper could not start the ODI series on a positive note after he was dismissed scoring just 16 runs in the first ODI. In the second match of the series, Pant played a brilliant knock of 85 off 71 balls.
In a situation like this, the wicketkeeper-batsman was expected to play an impressive innings once again in the third ODI at Newlands, Cape Town but Pant failed miserably and returned to the dressing room after scoring a duck and just a facing a single ball.
A good start
Indian team were chasing a target of 288 runs in the final game of the ODI series. After opening batter Shikhar Dhawan’s (61 runs off 73 balls) dismissal in the 22nd over of the game, Pant came down to bat. Virat Kohli was batting at the other end at that point and Indian team had scored 116 runs losing two wickets.
In a situation like this, Pant was expected to play a solid knock and help Kohli in chasing the target successfully. But Pant had some totally different plans. The 24-year-old wicketkeeper advanced and wanted to play a shot over the cover region but his mistimed shot was ultimately caught by Sisanda Magala as Andile Phehlukwayo took the wicket.
Kohli reacts
And Kohli’s reaction surprised the viewers and fans, when Pant was returning to the dressing room after playing that loose shot. The photos of a seemingly animated Kohli have gone viral as well.
As soon as Pant got out and started returning back to the dressing room, Kohli was pretty furious. Clearly Kohli was not happy with Pant. Before Pant’s arrival, the former Indian captain and Dhawan had put team India in a strong position. There was a partnership of 98 runs between the two batsmen as well. But Pant’s poor choice of shot changed the outcome of the match.
It is important to mention that many former cricketers and experts have already that if Pant needs to change his style if he wants to be in the squad.
