Australia vs India: VVS Laxman comes down hard on Rishabh Pant

Back in August during India’s third Test against England in Nottingham, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant opened his account in the format with a six off Adil Rashid. He made his intentions clear about his approach. He has scored quite a few runs, treading the attacking approach, but it has led to his downfall as well. He is currently playing the first Test against Australia at Adelaide Oval.

In the first innings, the left-handed batsman notched 25 runs from 38 balls with two boundaries and one six. However, the knock was scratchy, to say the least, as he went after anything and everything that came his way. He played and missed on quite a few occasions and eventually fell prey to off-break bowler Nathan Lyon when he knicked one to keeper and opposition skipper Tim Paine.

Play high percentage strokes

With the 21-year-old’s dismissal, India also lost their sixth wicket at the score of 127 with Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored a century, at the other end. In the meantime, former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman wasn’t at all satisfied with the way Pant played today. He advised the youngster to stand up as per the demands of the team and not get carried away while playing his natural game.

“It is about focus and concentration, and when Pant was playing, it was evident that he was not able to control the thoughts, which were going in his mind. You can’t be in that space of mind and be restless, especially in this situation. I’ve played with and against some of the best. Moreover, some of them has been phenomenal stroke-players,” Laxman was quoted as saying in ESPNcricinfo.

“You go out and play your natural game, but it’s very important that the natural game should be in line with what the team demands from you. You can’t afford to get out every time, playing your natural game. Pant is young in his career but has to realise that he has to play as per the demands of the team. Play your natural game, but play high percentage strokes,” he added.

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