Former South African captain Shaun Pollock questioned Rishabh Pant’s shot selection in the first innings of the second Test match against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on Sunday. After the tea break, the stand-in Indian captain advanced down the track against Marco Jansen but could only manage an outside edge to the wicket-keeper, Kyle Verreynne.
India was 105-4 at that stage after the hosts had conceded 489 runs in the first innings and the match situation was not suited for that kind of an aggressive shot.
Shaun Pollock said on Cricbuzz, “He definitely went with his heart, didn’t he? They bowled a bouncer and then they place a short leg in and he charges down, nicking off. I suppose the nature of the individual means that you kind of get it. You get where he’s coming from. Does it make sense when you get out like that? It doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t matter how we can try and sugarcoat it. It just doesn’t look right. Particularly, given how destructive he can be in the situation. If he absorbs pressure for a little period there, he can apply some massive pressure against the spinners in particular and put them on the back foot.”
Pollock said Pant could have played the aggressive shot later in the innings after getting settled at the crease.
He added, “It is a case of a captain wanting to make a statement and try to get his troops to follow. Did he need to show a bit of a grit and determination? Did he need to be a bit more calculated about what he did? I would tend to suggest that even as he sits there now, he’s thinking to himself, today it was probably the wrong call or the timing of it was wrong. I could’ve maybe done a little bit later but I can’t see him sitting and thinking I would do it again.”
Meanwhile, India was bowled out for 201 runs and Pollock admitted he could not believe what he witnessed on the third day’s play.
“Can’t believe it really, to be brutally honest. Thinking of the first two days, what would go on Day 3. To lose six wickets for the additional 27 runs at one stage. Jaiswal was great at the top of the order, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav showed some fight but it all just seemed easy for South Africa. Bowling them out for 201 after posting almost 500 and to have a lead out there. I suppose also the manner in which the dismissals occurred.”
The former Proteas pacer showered praise on Marco Jansen, who returned with impressive figures of 6-48, after scoring a fine knock of 93 runs.
“I mean who would have thought you would have Marco Jansen almost bouncing out five batters on an Indian pitch. When we came here, we thought spinning surfaces and that’s what it’s going to be and our spinners have to step up. He’s shown what he can do. He got two wonderful wickets and the chase at the Kolkata to start things off, then bowled brilliantly. As an ex all-rounder, I’ve got to appreciate what he’s done. 93 now a six-for. If he doesn’t get Man of the Match award, I’m interested to see who does,” he added.
After the tea break on the fourth day, South Africa are 131-3, leading by 419 runs.
