Asia Cup: Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant’s shot selection berated by former cricket legends

Former Indian cricketers Ravi Shastri and Gautam Gambhir were joined in the criticism of Rishabh Pant’s poor shot selection by Pakistan legend Wasim Akram during the Men in Blues’ five-wicket loss to Pakistan in the Asia Cup on Sunday, September 4. The wicketkeeper-batter was dismissed off a googly by Shadab Khan, as he tried to reverse sweep the ball which was bowled on the outside leg. He mistimed the attempt which went straight to Asif Ali at backward point, resulting in his dismissal at a crucial juncture.

“Rishabh Pant will be disappointed because that’s not his shot. His shot is probably hit it over long-on or deep mid-wicket, you end up hitting over there and get out, absolutely you can take it because that’s your strength. Your strength is not reverse-sweeping,” Gambhir told Star Sports.

“Particularly after what he saw Rohit, Rahul and others were doing. Where were the runs coming? It was down the ground and in the V. It was a beautiful pitch, hats off to the groundsmen, the ball was skidding on to the bat. That’s his strength, he can smack it. No boundary is big for Rishabh Pant if he connects it, but that’s his area. Absolutely, right,” Shastri concurred.