Rishabh Pant failed to make an impact in the first innings of the Boxing Day Test as he was dismissed for 28 off 39 deliveries on Saturday. Pant’s shot selection drew heavy criticism from fans and pundits alike, with former India captain Sunil Gavaskar slamming the Indian wicketkeeper and terming his decision to take an attacking shot as “stupid”.

However, former India head coach Ravi Shastri defended Pant and said that it is not every time that he gets out during an attack. Recalling Pant’s dismissals in Adelaide, Shastri explained that there were “2-3” instances in that series when he received good deliveries and didn’t make a mistake.

“Not every inning he tried that shot. Let’s look at the way he was dismissed in each inning. He got 2-3 really good balls. He delivered a really good ball in Adelaide that stopped on the length, there was no way he could get an attacking shot,” Shastri told Star Sports.

“He got someone else who left him, he stayed behind. Second innings in Adelaide, second ball of the day, he gets a good ball from Starc and grabs it. So, let’s calm down, guys. It’s not like he throws it away every time. He got some good balls too.”

Shastri’s advice to Pant

However, the former head coach advised Rishabh Pant to play more maturely. Shastri believes Pant has earned a reputation as an attacking batsman, which makes it difficult for him to attack further when the pitch is spread out.

The former India all-rounder advised Pant to play around on the field.

“He had done the hard work. The field had spread. This is an aspect of his batting that needs to change over time. He has developed a good reputation, he comes onto the field, he breaks a boundary and the field spreads out. This is the time when maturity should come, you have to hit the ball around and win singles,” said Shastri.

“This was a high-risk shot. There was no doubt about that. The field was prepared, two fielders on the boundary were pretty good, a fly slip and a good leg too. Scott Boland wanted to throw the ball up. That didn’t work. In order not to come away from the blade surface, Rishabh strives to reach the blade surface.

“If he had had that, it would have been a six. He wanted to clear the field, that’s his instinct and that’s how he plays. You have to remember that there are 1-2 players who take the game away.”