Media365
India’s stand-in captain Rishabh Pant is facing a tough phase as both his batting form and on-field leadership have come under scrutiny during the second Test against South Africa. Filling in for the injured Shubman Gill, Pant has struggled to make an impact with the bat in Guwahati, and several of his tactical choices have raised eyebrows. His demeanour on the fourth day drew sharp reactions as well, with former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressing disappointment after observing Pant’s field placements and overall body language.
Ashwin, who has transitioned into a prominent analyst even before officially stepping away from all formats, admitted that watching Pant on Day 4 left him disheartened.
Ashwin post
“I really hope we can bounce back while batting in the 2nd innings, but the indications on the field with respect to body language,” Ashwin posted on X, hinting that the energy and intent were missing. This Test marks Pant’s first outing as captain in the longest format, but his approach in the first innings highlighted his inclination towards taking risks at the wrong moments. His dismissal came while attempting a big shot off Marco Jansen despite India being in trouble after a flurry of wickets. Although modern cricket encourages aggression and instinctive play, situations still demand grit and defensive discipline. A solid defensive approach often becomes the foundation for counter-attacking later, something Pant seemed to overlook. High-risk batting can make even top players appear reckless when it fails, and Pant found himself in that exact situation. Yet, his talent and ability are unquestioned. For a captain, understanding the match situation is crucial. If Pant himself struggles to adapt, guiding youngsters like Dhruv Jurel or Sai Sudharsan to play patiently becomes an even greater challenge.
