The Indian cricket team continues to struggle in the second Test match against South Africa, with the batting lineup failing to impress. On the third day of the match, which is being played at the Guwahati stadium, India lost seven wickets for just 123 runs.
The Indian openers, KL Rahul (22) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (58), provided a decent start, adding 65 runs to the team's total. However, the team's fortunes took a turn for the worse after Rahul was dismissed by spinner Keshav Maharaj.
Rishabh Pant, who was expected to take charge and lead the team to a competitive total, failed to deliver. He played a reckless shot off a short-of-good-length delivery from Marco Jansen and edged the ball to the wicketkeeper. The umpire gave him out, but Pant reviewed the decision, which only added to his misery.
Replays showed that Pant had edged the ball, and the review was wasted. Fans and experts took to social media to express their outrage at Pant's shot selection and his decision to review the umpire's call.
"Captain Pant Fails to Lead by Example"
Pant's dismissal sparked a collapse of the Indian batting lineup, with Nitish Kumar Reddy (10) and Ravindra Jadeja (6) soon following him back to the pavilion. India were reduced to 122/7, and the team's chances of posting a competitive total looked slim.
Fans and experts were quick to criticize Pant's shot selection and his leadership. "Rishabh Pant is the biggest fraud of Indian cricket," one fan tweeted. "He got a huge edge, and yet he still took a review. I've never seen a more foolish guy," another fan wrote.
"Pant's Reckless Shot Sparks Anger"
The incident sparked a heated debate on social media, with many fans and experts questioning Pant's ability to lead the team. "Utter garbage yet again from Rishabh Pant," one fan tweeted. "Skipper of the team. The team needs a partnership to come back into the game. But he knows only one way to play – no situational awareness at all!"
The criticism was not limited to Pant's shot selection. Fans and experts also questioned his decision to review the umpire's call. "Give me freedom, give me fire, give me flat tracks and weak teams. Else I will retire," one fan tweeted. "Rishabh Pant is the biggest fraud of Indian cricket."
As India struggle to recover from their poor start, Pant's batting and leadership will come under further scrutiny. Will he be able to turn his form around and lead the team to a competitive total? Only time will tell.