Pant faces ire of Indian cricket fans after failing to mount rescue against South Africa in Guwahati: 'Blind slogger'

Rishabh Pant, captaining India for the first time in Tests in the absence of Shubman Gill, was expected to play a central role with the bat on the final day if India were to avoid a massive defeat in the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter, however, failed to deliver in a pressure situation once again, perishing for 13 after collecting a couple of boundaries.

LIVE | India vs South Africa, 2nd Test in Guwahati, Day 5

Pant had walked in after veteran off-spinner Simon Harmer struck twice in his eighth over, ending nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadavs’ (5 off 38) resistance before getting wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel (2 off 3) caught by Aiden Markram at slip.

The 28-year-old has starred in some of India’s greatest Test victories, and was expected to play a key role in helping the hosts salvage a draw at Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium and avoid a second Test clean sweep at home against a SENA nation.

Pant isn’t known for his defensive technique, making headlines for his unorthodox shots in the traditional format more than anything else, and did collect a four and a six off Keshav Maharaj in the same over – dancing down the track against the veteran left-arm spinner for the latter.

Pant perishes after another promising start

The Indian skipper, however, perished right after the drinks interval, though unlike his dismissal off Marco Jansen’s bowling in the first innings, it wasn’t due to a needless shot.

Pant was looking to defend a delivery from the off-spinner, and ended up getting caught by Aiden Markram at slip after the ball reared up higher than usual, resulting in a deflection off the glove.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir and the Indian team has been facing a lot of flak over the course of the last two weeks, the criticism intensifying in the second Test in Guwahati. And on Wednesday, it was Pant’s turn to face the ire of Indian cricket fans after failing to live up to his billing as someone India could rely on for a match-winning knock as well as for a game-saving performance.

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