AB De Villiers Questions Rishabh Pant’s Dismissal

November 3, 2024: Following Rishabh Pant’s contentious dismissal during India’s fourth-innings chase against New Zealand, former South African captain AB de Villiers voiced his concerns on social media, highlighting the ambiguity surrounding such crucial decisions in cricket.

In his tweet, de Villiers pointed out the challenges of using technology like DRS, especially when it comes to determining whether the ball made contact with the bat or the pad simultaneously.

“Controversy! Little grey area once again. Did Pant get bat on that or not? The problem is when the ball passes the bat at exactly the same time a batter hits his pad, snicko will pick up the noise. But how sure are we he hit it? I’ve always worried about this and here it happens at a huge moment in a big Test match. Where’s hotspot?!” he wrote, expressing frustration over the reliance on technology in high-stakes situations.

De Villiers’ comments reflect a broader sentiment within the cricket community regarding the reliability of technology during critical moments. Pant’s dismissal was particularly impactful, leaving India in a precarious position at 106 for 6 while chasing a modest target of 147 runs, ultimately contributing to their 25-run defeat. Pant’s impressive innings of 64 runs had kept India’s hopes alive, making the decision even more consequential.