Last Updated:December 30, 2024, 17:35 IST

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri termed Pant’s dismissal as the turning point of the game

Rishabh Pant playing a shot on the final day of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG [AP Photo]

After the heroics of Nitish Reddy and Jasprit Bumrah, India were tasked to chase 340 runs on the final day of the Boxing Day Test. But unfortunately, yet another batting collapse unfolded, at the MCG, on Monday after which the travellers succumbed to an 184-run defeat.

The top-order, barring one batter, faltered under pressure. The likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant anchored the chase for quite a while as India had a wicketless second session. However, the wicketkeeper-batter tried shifting gears post-tea break and lost his wicket to Travis Head, which, in a way, led to a shambolic batting collapse at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri termed Pant’s dismissal as the turning point of the game. Speaking to Star Sports, Shastri said the wicketkeeper-batter’s wicket lifted up Australia, allowing them to return to the game.

“I think the turning point was the wicket of Rishabh Pant. They knew they couldn’t win the game by lunchtime once they lost three wickets. The only chance you have of winning is if there’s a platform set, exactly what Rohit said. And then, when Rishabh Pant got out after tea, that lifted the Australians. That was the opening they were looking for, and they made sure to capitalise on it,” he added.

Pant’s ill-timed lap shot in the first innings and mindless slog in the second essay came at crucial junctures. Addressing the matter in the post-match presser, captain Rohit Sharma said the young keeper-batter ‘needs to understand what is required of him’.

“There hasn’t been any discussion about today. Obviously, you know, we lost the game. Everybody is disappointed about how things actually panned out. We certainly didn’t think of this result. There is no doubt about that,” Rohit said, trying to gather his thoughts.

“Look Rishabh Pant, he needs to understand what is required of him. More than any one of us telling him, you know, it’s about him understanding and figuring out what is the right way to go about it,” he added.

Location :

Melbourne, Australia