Rohit Sharma Admits Feeling ‘Frustration’ At Rishabh Pant’s Batting: ‘As A Captain, It’s Very Hard…’

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has admitted to having ‘mixed’ feelings, including frustration, at seeing Rishabh Pant throw his wicket repeatedly in the ongoing 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He said on Monday that he finds it hard to have a conversation about his playing methods when the same thing has been a cornerstone for his success in the past.

Pant was one of the only two batters who crossed into double digits in the final innings of the Melbourne Test on Monday. After another top-order collapse, he and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal went unbeaten through the second session of the day. However, soon after Tea, Pant ended up pulling an innocuous ball from part-timer Travis Head to the deep.

His wicket for 30 (104) — he had batted brilliantly and almost against his boundary-hitting instincts throughout — triggered a collapse and India lost the next six wickets for 34 runs.

“He needs to understand what is required of himself rather than anyone telling him,” Rohit said in the post-match press conference. “In the past, he has given us a lot of success. As a captain, there’s a mixed reaction. We back when it comes off but when it doesn’t, is frustrating. There has to be a balance. As a captain, it’s very hard to have a conversation when it has given him a lot of success. It’s just about the situation. If there’s a risk-percentage, do you want to take the risk?”

“I have known Rishabh for a long time and I understand his cricket. There have been conversations in the past. It’s not that he doesn’t understand what the team needs him. There’s a fine line between telling him what to do and what not to do.”

When Pant, India’s best performer in the last BGT in Australia has struggled, the visitors have found a new young hero in Nitish Kumar Reddy, who scored the team’s only century in the first innings.

“We saw a lot of potential,” Rohit said on Reddy. “He has shown what he is capable of, and read the situation pretty well. Has a solid technique and a superb mind. Has a strong character. Hard to say about his growth because there have been just four matches. He will only go up from here because he has all the tools to be very successful.”