Former Indian cricketer, Madan Lal seems unhappy with the shot selection of wicket-keeper batter, Rishabh Pant in the second innings of the second Test against South Africa at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. Despite calling the 24-year-old a “match-winner”, Madan Lal said the Pant “should be given a break”. Pant’s aggressive approach has won India some important games in the past but the same approach saw him being dismissed for a duck despite India being in a spot of bother.

Rishabh Pant’s dismissal drew a lot of criticism with several current and former cricketers, including legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar, slamming him for playing careless cricket. Madan Lal said that the 24-year-old should understand that he has to bat for the team, and not himself, adding that the management has the option of bringing in Wriddhiman Saha, who he said was “a sensible batter”.

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During a chat on Aaj Tak, Madan Lal said, “He should be given a break. You have someone like Wriddhiman Saha, who is a sensible batter, and a very good wicketkeeper. But Pant has to decide how he wants to bat in Test cricket. If there is some doubt in his mind, it is better to give him a break. He is a match-winning player, but you cannot bat like this. You have to bat for the team and not for yourself.”

Trailing 0-1 in the three-match series, South Africa chased down a tricky target of 240 with relative ease to win the second Test as they won the game by 7 wickets. The series is now evenly-poised ahead of the decider at the Newlands, starting January 11.

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The regular Indian Test skipper, Virat Kohli missed the second test due to upper back spasm, however, he will be expected to make a comeback in the final Test in Cape Town.