Former India wicketkeeper-batter Saba Karim suggests that Rishabh Pant’s dismissal during the India vs. Afghanistan Test was likely due to fatigue and dehydration rather than poor shot selection. Pant, who recently lost his vice-captaincy to KL Rahul, fell for 81 runs after a fluent innings alongside captain Shubman Gill. Karim observed that Pant appeared in control for most of his innings and expressed surprise at his departure in such a manner.
Karim highlighted that Pant’s physical condition in the extreme heat may have played a role in his dismissal. He noted that Pant seemed to be losing energy before getting out and required treatment from the physio, indicating possible dehydration. The former national selector suggested that Pant’s lapse in concentration, possibly due to fatigue, led to the dismissal rather than a deliberate poor shot choice.
Analyzing Pant’s uncharacteristic shot, Karim mentioned that Pant usually displays calculated aggression but erred in attempting a big shot with fielders stationed on the boundary. He explained that Pant’s typical approach involves decisive footwork and selecting the right deliveries to attack, which was lacking in this instance. Pant’s innings, contributing to India’s strong first-innings total of 564/8 declared, played a crucial role in the match despite him missing out on what could have been his seventh Test century.
