“Let’s calm down here, guys” - Former India coach defends Rishabh Pant over horrendous shot in BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has come out in defense of Rishabh Pant after his dismissal on Day 3 of the fourth Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test (Saturday, December 28). The left-hander was dismissed for 28 off 37, playing a risky shor.

Pant received widespread criticism for his shot, particularly from former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, who came down heavy on him. However, Shastri spoke in the batter's defense, stating that Rishabh Pant did not get out every time he tried an attacking shot.

“It's not in every innings he has attempted that shot. Let's look at the way he was dismissed in each innings, he got 2-3 really good deliveries. He got a really good delivery that left off the length in Adelaide, there was no way he played an attacking shot,” he told Star Sports.

The former Indian head coach added that Rishabh Pant does not throw his wicket away all the time and urged everyone to calm down. He explained Pant's dismissals, talking in his defense.

“He got another one that left him, he was caught behind. Second innings in Adelaide, secodn ball of the day, he gets a good one from Starc and he nicks it. So, let's calm down here, guys. It's not every time he's throwing it away. He got some good balls as well," Shastri explained.

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Ravi Shastri offers advice to Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant was dismissed for 28 runs off 37 deliveries. He got out to Scott Boland attempting the lap/scoop shot, only to hand a top edge down to the third man.

Ravi Shastri has offered Pant some advice, asking him to knock around the field a little more and play with more maturity.

“He had done the hard work. The field had spread out. That's one aspect of his batting that has to change with time to come. He's built up a reputation for himself, he comes to field, he smashes a boundary and the field spreads. That's the time when maturity should come in, knock the ball around and take singles,” he stated.

However, he also added that had Pant connected the shot well, it would have been a six, and that he is among those players who can take the game away with his style of play. He added:

“If he had got that, it would've been a six. He was looking to clear the field, that's his instinct and that's the way he plays. You must remember that there are 1-2 players who take the game away.”