India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, didn’t hold back when talking about Rishabh Pant’s dismissals at the MCG. The game ended with a painful 184-run loss for India, and it’s safe to say Pant’s shot selection was one of the talking points.
Pant’s knack for playing bold shots has worked wonders in the past, but this time, it backfired—twice. In the first innings, he got out trying to scoop Scott Boland to deep third. In the second innings, when India was battling to save the game, he pulled a long hop straight to wide long-on. Both dismissals left fans and experts shaking their heads.
Rohit’s Honest Take on Pant
Rohit sounded like a captain torn between frustration and understanding. “It’s just happened; we haven’t had a chance to talk about it yet,” he said. “But yeah, he needs to figure out what’s required of him—not just for himself, but for the team.”
Rohit didn’t deny that Pant’s style has brought India success before. “As a captain, it’s tricky. You know his approach has worked in the past, but when it doesn’t, it frustrates everyone. It’s about finding that balance. He needs to understand the situation—when to take a risk and when not to.”
Gavaskar Criticizes Pant’s Choices
Former skipper Sunil Gavaskar wasn’t as forgiving. He was pretty vocal about Pant’s decision-making, especially in the first innings. “That scoop? Completely unnecessary,” Gavaskar said after the game. “You’re 28 runs in, and you throw it away like that? Not acceptable.”
Pant’s second-innings dismissal hurt even more. He had just built a solid partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal, and India looked like they might hold on for a draw. But one bad shot later, and it was all downhill.
Why Gill Was Left Out
Rohit also addressed why Shubman Gill didn’t play. Turns out, it wasn’t about his form. “I had a chat with him,” Rohit said. “He wasn’t dropped. We just needed to strengthen our bowling attack without messing up the batting depth.”
The team brought in an all-rounder, pushing KL Rahul to No. 3 while Rohit opened the innings. It was a gamble that didn’t quite pay off, with India struggling to find consistency in their batting lineup.
Looking Ahead to Sydney
This loss means India can’t win the series, but there’s still one match left. The final Test in Sydney, starting January 3, is a chance for the team to salvage some pride.
As for Pant, the spotlight will be on him again. Can he adapt his game to match the situation? For Rohit, it’s all about finding the right balance—not just for Pant, but for the entire squad.
Australia, on the other hand, will be riding high. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy already in their pocket, they’ll be looking to close out the series on a strong note.
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