Rishabh Pant named villain in India’s Calcutta Test disaster by Gautam Gambhir’s ex-teammate
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has shockingly blamed Rishabh Pant for India’s embarrassing 30-run defeat against South Africa in the first match of the Test series at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 16.
While many criticized Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir for preparing such a disastrous surface for the first Test at Eden Gardens, Kaif felt it was Rishabh Pant’s leadership that cost the hosts dearly.
Mohammad Kaif criticizes Rishabh Pant’s captaincy in India’s shock defeat at Eden Gardens
With Shubman Gill forced to retire injured early in the first innings, Rishabh Pant had to step in as stand-in captain, and Kaif feels his field placements and tactical decisions cost India crucial moments against South Africa on the already tricky Kolkata surface.
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The former Indian batter pointed out that the South African team struggled at 91/7 in the second innings, but they were allowed to get back to 153, thanks to easy singles and poorly laid out pitches at Eden Gardens.
All four Indian players bowled on a turning pitch, but the visitors continued to win singles almost at will, exposing the flaws in Pant’s strategy.
Mohammed Kaif said in a video on his YouTube channel: “We gave them too many singles. Is it easy to score against four spinners on a turning track? Keep a middle on, bring up the point and ask the batters to take up the challenge. The fielders were behind and 70-80 per cent of their runs came in singles. Pant kept an in and out fielder without Gill, and that also had an effect. He also took time to figure things out.”
Mohammad Kaif calls Shubman Gill’s absence a big blow in India’s Kolkata Test defeat
Kaif also highlighted the massive impact of Shubman Gill’s demise. He believed Gill could have provided stability and possibly a game-changer, but his absence left India under pressure as they chased a modest target of 124.
In the end, India collapsed for 93, giving South Africa a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series. The final test is scheduled in Guwahati from November 22. He added: “There would have been a difference if Gill had been there. He couldn’t play both innings. If we had a bigger lead, say 50, 60 or 100 runs, we would put South Africa out of the game.
It was a failure. Not having him on the field as captain was also a miss. In the second heat, he wasn’t there in the chase. So there is definitely a direct link, since Gill is one of our best hitters at the moment. He is also in good shape; such a player can save you in such situations.
Also Read: Shubman Gill confirmed for Guwahati Test against South Africa as travel dates revealed
Mohammad Kaif hails Temba Bavuma captaincy
Meanwhile, Mohammad Kaif praised South Africa captain, Temba Bavuma, for his intelligent leadership and tactical moves. During India’s run chase, Washington Sundar had opted for 31, but Bavuma brought in Aiden Markram at the right time, and he dismissed the Indian all-rounder, and that was the turning point of the match at Eden Gardens.
Moreover, Kaif pointed out that South Africa’s strength lay in their precise fielding and intelligent bowling changes. Even without their star pacer Kagiso Rabada, Bavuma’s leadership and team composition helped secure them a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series.
