India captain Rohit Sharma believes that Rishabh Pant needs to manage his aggression with the bat after another reckless shot contributed to India’s defeat against Australia in the fourth Test on Monday.
Pant, known for his fearless and impactful batting, has won many matches with his bold approach, earning admiration from fans. However, this fearless style has also led to frustrating dismissals at critical moments.
During the first innings at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Pant scored 28 runs before attempting an ill-judged scoop shot against Scott Boland, resulting in his dismissal. This move even led former India legend Sunil Gavaskar to exclaim “Stupid, stupid, stupid!” live on ABC Sport.
In the second innings, Pant’s dismissal came while India was in a strong position at 121-3. Trying to pull a risky shot off part-time spinner Travis Head, Pant got out, triggering a collapse. India was eventually bowled out for 155, handing Australia a 184-run win and a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, inching closer to retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“It’s about him understanding the right way to approach these situations,” said Rohit after the loss. “In the past, his aggressive batting has brought us success, so as a captain, it’s a mixed reaction. But watching him get out at crucial times is frustrating.”
Rohit emphasized the importance of assessing the match situation before taking risks. “He needs to figure out if the risk is worth it. If the situation demands caution, he must ensure the opposition doesn’t gain momentum,” Rohit added.
India’s struggles weren’t limited to Pant’s batting. Most of the frontline batters, except opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, failed to deliver. The team also leaned heavily on pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who bowled an exhausting 53.2 overs in the match the most he has bowled in any of his 44 Tests so far.
Rohit acknowledged the risks of overworking Bumrah, India’s top wicket-taker in the series. “We always consider workloads, but when someone is in great form, you want to make the most of it. Still, there comes a point where you have to step back and give them a breather,” he said.
Rohit assured that Bumrah’s fitness is closely monitored, adding, “I’ve spoken to him about how he feels. Managing his workload is crucial, and I’m making sure we take care of that.”
India now faces a must-win scenario in the remaining matches to keep their hopes alive in the series.
