Rohit expects Pant to bat with responsibility

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December 30, 2024 16:02 IST

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'It's about (match) situation as well. If there is a risk percentage in certain situation of the game, do you want to take that risk? Do you want to let the opposition come back into the game? Those are the things he needs to figure out himself.'

Rishabh Pant scored 30 off 104 balls in the 2nd innings before getting out to a pull shot off Travis Head on Day 5 of the 4th Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday

IMAGE: Rishabh Pant scored 30 off 104 balls in the 2nd innings before getting out to a pull shot off Travis Head on Day 5 of the 4th Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday. Photograph: Screengrab/X

India captain Rohit Sharma said Rishabh Pant must learn to temper his aggression with the bat after yet another reckless dismissal triggered a collapse that culminated in defeat by Australia in the fourth Test on Monday.

 

Wicketkeeper-batter Pant has produced several match-defining knocks with his take-no-prisoners approach, which has also made the 27-year-old a fan favourite.

However, his aggression has also been his undoing at times.

The left-hander made 28 runs in the first innings at Melbourne Cricket Ground before losing his wicket to an ill-advised scoop shot against Scott Boland.

It was a shot which let former India great Sunil Gavaskar screaming "Stupid, stupid, stupid!" into his microphone during his radio stint on ABC Sport.

In the second innings, with the match in the balance, Pant, batting on 30 off 104 balls, was out trying to pull part-time spinner Travis Head from outside the off-stump.

India had been cruising at 121-3 at the time, but lurched to all out for 155 as Australia went 2-1 up in the five-match series and put one hand on the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

"It's about him understanding and figuring out what is the right way to go about it," Rohit said after India's loss by 184 runs.

"In the past, he's given us a lot of success doing what he does. So as a captain there is a kind of mixed reaction to that.

"It's about (match) situation as well. If there is a risk percentage in certain situation of the game, do you want to take that risk? Do you want to let the opposition come back into the game? Those are the things he needs to figure out himself."

"And sometimes when things don't look good, it frustrates everyone. But that is what it is. That's the reality. It's the success and the failure. There needs to be a balance about it."

"I have known Rishabh for a very long time. I understand his cricket as well. In the past also, we have had a lot of conversations.

"In terms of conversation, there is no way I can say that I have not had a chat with him. He doesn't understand what the team expects. He understands that. But the things that he does give him results as well. It's just that fine line between telling him not to do those things or telling him to do those things," he added.

 

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