Rishabh Pant was dismissed for zero in the second innings of the second Test against South Africa. (AFP image)
He said that despite having the ability, Pant did not look for other options to score runs.
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has slammed Rishabh Pant for not having enough patience in Test cricket. Pant’s shot selection against South African pacer Kagiso Rabada in the second innings of the Johannesburg Test has drawn a lot of criticism from fans and experts. Pant, trying to block Rabada’s shot length delivery over the extra cover area, went for a duck, but instead dismissed wicketkeeper Kyle Wren.
Taking a jibe at Pant’s erratic approach to Test cricket, Butt advised the Indian southpaw to control his fearless instincts and approach the game with patience.
Terming Pant’s shot selection irresponsible, Butt said such shots appear to be a by-product of Pant’s confidence, but they are actually a sign of his lack of confidence. “His (Pant’s) approach hasn’t helped him score runs in recent times,” Butt said on his YouTube channel.
He said that despite having the ability, Pant did not look for other options to score runs.
The former Pakistan captain said that Pant has not even tried to work up to his level of patience and it is an injustice to the team and to them as well. Butt said that Pant definitely needs to rework his strategy, especially when he is replacing someone like MS Dhoni. Stating that the India southpaw has talent and potential, Butt advised him to devote time to innings building in the longest format of the game.
Pant’s shot selection has been criticized by fans and experts for the past few months. In the last seven Test matches he has played for India, the left-handed batsman has managed only 250 runs, often getting out at crucial junctures in the game.
With South Africa winning the second Test, the series is now level. India will be hoping to bounce back in the last game and register their maiden Test series win on South African soil. Thankfully for India, skipper Virat Kohli will be available for the last Test match.
get all IPL news and cricket score Here
,