Former Indian cricketer Pragyan Ojha has taken a dig at out-of-form Rishabh Pant for his irresponsible role in the second Test match in Johannesburg Test. The wicketkeeper-batter was dismissed for a three-ball duck when he charged down the ground and nicked Kagiso Rabada's delivery. The irresponsible shot was met with harsh criticism by current and former Indian players. Ojha is the latest cricketer to join the list of critics and raised question marks on Pant's role.
“Pant with his shot selection has forced himself from being a postpaid connect to a prepaid,” the former left-arm spinner tweeted.
Pant, 24, is expected to retain his place in the team despite a slump in form. He has enough credit in the bank to retain his place in the team for the third Test. The Indian team is also expected to have the services of captain Virat Kohli back for the decider, as he will be available after missing the second Test match in Johannesburg due to upper back spasm. Mohammed Siraj is expected to be out as well, with Ishant Sharma coming in his place.
Ojha further wrote in his tweet, "If Siraj is not available for tomorrow's game, Ishant should play. It will be very surprising if he doesn’t. Unfortunately, Vihari will make way for Virat.”
The Indian team suffered a huge blow in the second Test as Mohammed Siraj injured his hamstring and was unable to bowl at full fitness. The 27-year-old went wicketless as the Indian team couldn’t prevent the Proteas from chasing 240 in the final innings. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah were also ineffective in front of the hosts' batting lineup as captain Dean Elgar carried South Africa home to level the series.
The three-match Test series is currently on level terms at 1-1. South Africa won the Johannesburg Test before India had taken the lead by winning the Centurion affair. The Newlands in Cape Town is the destination for the third Test, where India have never won a Test match. Also, India have never won a Test series on South African soil as Kohli and company will be eyeing the historic feat.
