Sunil Gavaskar Slams Rishabh Pant On His Dismissal, Says ‘Terrible Shot Selection’

December 28, 2024: Sunil Gavaskar has sharply criticized Rishabh Pant for his shot selection during his dismissal on Day Three of the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Pant was dismissed for 28 runs off 37 balls, hitting three fours, but his innings ended when he attempted a scoop shot to a full-length delivery from Australian pacer Scott Boland. Pant crouched low to play the shot, but it got a top edge and was caught easily by Nathan Lyon at third man.

Gavaskar, speaking on Star Sports during the lunch break, suggested that Pant’s shot selection was “terrible,” particularly considering the field placements. He pointed out that there were two fielders stationed at deep square-leg and deep point, making it a poor choice of shot at that moment. While acknowledging that a bit of bad luck was involved, as the shot intended for the leg side went to the off side, Gavaskar emphasized that Pant had little justification for playing such a risky shot at that stage of the match.

“I think earlier on, when there had been no fielders around, that’s when he’s attempted these shots, that is understandable because you’re taking a very good chance,” Gavaskar said. “That [the shot] was supposed to go to the leg side, that went to the off side, it actually tells you maybe [there was] a little bit of bad luck involved, but terrible selection of a shot to play at that particular point with two fielders down at deep square-leg and deep point.”

Further analyzing Pant’s mindset, Gavaskar suggested that the wicketkeeper-batter may feel that he cannot score runs the traditional way, which is why he resorts to unorthodox shots like the one that led to his dismissal. “It just appears to be that that’s the only way he thinks he’s capable of scoring runs,” Gavaskar said. “If he’s not going to be able to score runs the orthodox way, if he’s only thinking that he’s going to go down the pitch, hammering the ball over long-on, or just looking to play these shots, which means at the Test level you can’t always succeed.”

Gavaskar then made a strong point about Pant’s place in the batting order. He suggested that if Pant continues with his aggressive approach and shot-making without thinking of more conventional methods of accumulating runs, he may not be suited for the No. 5 position in the batting order. “Then you have got to be prepared for the fact that he will get you some runs sometimes. If that is the case, then he cannot bat at No. 5, he’s got to bat down the order.”

At the close of play on Day Three, India were at 358/9, with Nitish Kumar Reddy (105*) and Mohammed Siraj (2*) unbeaten, still trailing by 116 runs. Despite Pant’s dismissal, India’s lower order, particularly Reddy and Siraj, had provided resilience, offering hope of a potential recovery. However, Pant’s inconsistent shot selection continues to be a topic of debate, especially for a player with so much talent and potential at the Test level.