Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant's struggles in the ongoing 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia have sparked debate, but Sanjay Manjrekar has urged critics to focus on his failings rather than how fail with the bat so far Down Under.
Rishabh Pant is known for his fearless batting but his aggressive approach has backfired during the ongoing five-match Test series where he has failed to convert promising starts into big scores. In the Boxing Day Test, Pant lost his wickets in both innings while playing the risky shots.
Rishabh Pant's attack under fire as India go into Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25
An ill-timed lap shot in the first innings and a reckless mistake in the second innings came at critical moments to give Australia a decisive lead during India's 184-run defeat in the fourth Test of the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy -25, ongoing, in Melbourne. December 30.
These dismissals drew harsh criticism, with Sunil Gavaskar branding his approach “stupid” during commentary. In particular, Rishabh Pant's numbers in the ongoing tour of Australia have been disappointing. In seven innings from four matches, the left-handed batsman mustered just 154 runs at an average of 22, with a top score of 37 against Australia.
This performance is in stark contrast to the impressive overall record of the Indian batsman-keeper in Australia. In 11 matches, Pant amassed 778 runs at an average of 45.76 and a strike rate of 66.72, including a century and two fifties in Australia.
Sanjay Manjrekar urges critics to focus on Rishabh Pant's failures instead of acting
Despite his current slump, Sanjay Manjrekar feels that criticism should focus on his performance rather than his natural play. While Pant's fearless style has often won matches, his inability to adjust at crucial moments has now become a point of concern.
The former Indian batsman has defended Rishabh Pant, urging critics to focus on his lack of runs rather than his attacking style. As Pant's natural attacking style has brought India glory in the past, Sanjay Manjrekar cited the Indian star's impressive Test average of 42, six centuries and seven nineties in just 42 matches to highlight his talent and winning potential.
The cricket expert believes that Pant is a great player who struggles to deliver consistent runs, which remains the real issue in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where Australia took a 2-1 lead after winning the Adelaide Tests and Melbourne vs India.
Rishabh Pant should only be criticized for his failures: Sanjay Manjrekar after Boxing Day Test
Taking to social media on December 31, Sanjay Manjrekar shared his thoughts saying, “Pant should only be criticized for his failures rather than how he fails. He averages 42 in Tests with at least 3 great innings ever played by an Indian! In 42 Tests, he has 6 hundreds and 7 nineties. He's a great player who hasn't scored enough points, and that's the key. #INDvsAUS.”
Pant should be criticized only for his failures rather than how he fails. He averages 42 in Tests with at least 3 great innings ever played by an Indian!
In 42 Tests he has 6 hundreds and 7 nineties. He's a great player who doesn't score enough points and that's the key. #INDvsAUS— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 31, 2024
Notably, the fifth and final Test of the ongoing BGT 2024-25 will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney from 3 January 2025, with India eyeing a draw to retain the trophy in Australia for record. the third time in a row.