Published: Nov 22, 2018, 04:50 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 22, 2018, 04:50 PM (IST)
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly isn’t impressed with Rishabh Pant‘s shot selection saying he needs to keep playing straight and avoid unorthodox strokes.
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On Wednesday, Pant and Dinesh Karthik revived India’s chase with a blistering partnership in the first T20I against Australia in Brisbane. Chasing a revised target of 174 in 17 overs, India were 105/4 when the duo got together. They had added 51 runs in quick time to keep the contest alive when Pant went for a cheeky shot but ended up being caught for 20.
India eventually finished at 169/8 and lost by four runs.
“Rishabh Pant could’ve won the match for India with Dinesh Karthik,” Ganguly told India TV “The way he was batting with Karthik and took the match close for India, the shot didn’t have any value.”
He continued, ” He [Pant] is a young player and somebody needs to tell him that when he has the ability and power to hit straight, he doesn’t need to play these kind of shots. He is not in bad form. He just has to change his shot selection. It is not a difficult thing to do. I am not concerned with his form.”
India currently trail 0-1 in the three-match series. Ganguyl has backed India to draw level in Melbourne, the venue of 2nd T20I. “India played good cricket. It was the first match of the series and you also have to consider the fact that they didn’t even play a practice match. Shikhar Dhawan batted really well. But when you chase such a big target, there’s always pressure on your batsmen. The series is wide open and India have a chance to make it 2-1. I am happy with India’s performance,” Ganguly said.
