NEW DELHI: India’s star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant came under fire after playing a risky shot that led to his dismissal during a crucial phase of Day 3 in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Pant’s dismissal has once again highlighted the fine line between aggression and recklessness, with fans and experts divided on his high-risk style of play.
Facing Scott Boland in the 56th over, Pant attempted an unorthodox falling scoop shot, which he inside-edged onto his stomach, causing him to fall to the ground. Australia’s skipper Pat Cummins had anticipated the move, placing fielders in the deep at fine leg and third man for such a scenario.
To Pant’s misfortune, he repeated the same shot on the very next delivery, only to top-edge it to Nathan Lyon at deep third man. His dismissal for 28 off 37 balls left India struggling at 191/5, trailing Australia by 283 runs. While India managed to avoid the follow-on, the manner of Pant’s dismissal reignited debates over his shot selection in critical moments.

Pant’s aggressive strokeplay has earned him a reputation for unorthodox run-scoring, but his decision in Melbourne drew sharp criticism, with legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar calling it a “stupid” shot.
However, former India head coach Ravi Shastri defended Pant’s approach.
“It’s not in every innings he has attempted that shot. Let’s look at the way he was dismissed in each innings; he got 2-3 really good deliveries. He got a really good delivery that left off the length in Adelaide; there was no way he played an attacking shot,” Shastri told Star Sports.

“He got another one that left him, he was caught behind. Second innings in Adelaide, second ball of the day, he gets a good one from Starc and he nicks it. So, let’s calm down here, guys. It’s not every time he’s throwing it away. He got some good balls as well.”
Shastri also acknowledged the need for Pant to adapt over time. “He had done the hard work. The field had spread out. That’s one aspect of his batting that has to change with time to come. He’s built up a reputation for himself. He comes to field, he smashes a boundary, and the field spreads. That’s the time when maturity should come in, knock the ball around, and take singles,” he said.

“That was a high-risk shot. There was no doubt about that. The field was set, two fielders on the boundary pretty fine, a fly slip and a fine leg as well. Scott Boland was looking to ball up. It didn’t come off the face of the blade. Rishabh backs himself to get the face of the blade. If he had got that, it would’ve been a six. He was looking to clear the field; that’s his instinct and that’s the way he plays. You must remember that there are 1-2 players who take the game away,” Shastri added.