‘Whatever Pant doing is not working’ – Karthik slams batter’s risky shot selection on Day 4 at Headingley

Dinesh Karthik, a former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, expressed unhappiness with Rishabh Pant’s unconventional shot selection during a critical juncture in the first session of Day 4 of the inaugural Test against England at Headingley, Leeds.

After India’s skipper Shubman Gill was bowled out in the first over of the day by Brydon Carse, Pant sought to respond against an organised English pace attack. However, Karthik said Pant’s approach lacked the necessary patience and game knowledge, particularly at a moment when India needed to consolidate.

“Given the circumstances and the situation of the game, I don’t believe that was a percentage shot. I know he achieved the result, but the odds were certainly not in his favour.

“Playing a slog sweep to a bowler bowling 130 clicks, 140 in fact, does not make sense to me,” Karthik stated on TV.

“Whatever Rishabh Pant is doing is not working, if I was KL Rahul, all I would tell him right now is to play the way we want instead of telling him be careful or don’t play this shot, I don’t think those messages sit with him,” said the player.

The wicketkeeper-batter attempted to disrupt the bowlers early in his innings by charging down the pitch to face Chris Woakes. However, England’s pacers swiftly changed their strategy, bowling from around the wicket and focussing on his body. Pant was smacked several times and appeared uncomfortable due to the strict line and length.

Pant was said to struggle to retain his composure under such tight bowling conditions. On the next delivery, he replied angrily by stepping out to crush Woakes to the ground.

Pant attempted a slog sweep after Carse’s over but only got a top edge. The ball flew high behind the stumps, spinning in the wind, before landing safely in no-man’s land and trickling out to the boundary. Pant resumed his reckless strokeplay, including his characteristic scoop shot, which caused him to fall over in an unorthodox fashion.