‘Batting at number four and has no idea’ – Rishabh Pant extends verbal battle with Rassie van der Dussen in Johannesburg Test

The ongoing second Test between India and South Africa is proceeding like a rollercoaster. With stakes being incredibly high in the contest, both teams are leaving no stones unturned to get the favourable result. For the unversed, a win in this Johannesburg Test would see India scripting their first Test series triumph on South African soil. Hence, this clash is a do-or-die game for the home team.

In such high-pressure games, verbal battles are pretty common as intensity is always on the higher side. The Johannesburg Test is no different. Quite a few times we have been players exchanging words in the middle. India’s Rishabh Pant and South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen have also shown keenness to get under each other’s skin.

Rishabh Pant, Rassie van der Dussen engaged in verbal battle

When Pant came out to bat in India’s second innings, Van der Dussen welcomed him with some cheeky comments which didn’t go down well with the southpaw. As a result, he replied: “Keep your mouth shut.” Unfortunately for Team India, Pant couldn’t make his bat talk as he got out for a three-ball duck. However, this didn’t stop him for having a go at Van der Dussen when the South African batter arrived in the last innings.

Vd dussen getting taste of his own medicine.
Pant : after 5/6 balls he is forgetting where his guard his , batting at no 4 no idea 😂#INDvSA #SAvIND https://t.co/Nhqrl6hgmp pic.twitter.com/0XiTcg4uqb

— SKB (@KovaiKosumbu) January 5, 2022

Taking a dig at the 32-year-old, Pant said Van der Dussen has forgotten to bat. He made these remarks while standing near the stumps when off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was operating. “Playing at No.4, but has no idea about the batting guard. Playing as a sledger boy,” chirped the wicketkeeper. Pant’s comments were recorded in the stump microphone and netizens were highly entertained. Now, it will be interesting to see if Rassie van der Dussen can get among the runs or Pant will have the last laugh.

Meanwhile, South Africa, chasing 240 for victory, have crossed the 100-run mark with just two batters back in the pavilion. Considering the current scorecard, South Africa are firmly in command and would back themselves to cross the line. However, the track hasn’t been easy to bat on and hence, Team India would be interested till the very end of the game.