Former India head coach Ravi Shastri made a heartfelt appeal to the Indian team management ahead of the final day’s play in the third Test against England at Lord’s. Speaking on Sky Sports, Shastri urged the current leadership group, including head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill, to give Rishabh Pant complete space as he prepared to walk out and bat on a tense morning. According to Shastri, the best thing the team could do was to leave Pant alone and let him back his instincts.
The situation at Lord’s was delicately poised. India, needing over 135 runs to win with just six wickets in hand, looked under the pump in the first hour of Day 5. Pant was battling a finger injury he sustained earlier in the match and was outdone by a jaffa from Ben Stokes after scoring just nine runs off 12 deliveries. Shastri, believed this was the kind of scenario where the left-hander should have been left to figure it out on his own.
Interestingly, cameras had caught captain Shubman Gill in a conversation with Rishabh Pant on the Lord’s balcony, moments before play resumed. Gill, dismissed late on Day 4 by Brydon Carse, was likely sharing inputs from his time in the middle. But if Shastri’s words were anything to go by, that might have done more harm than good.
Ravi Shastri's 'No Chat' Advice Ignored, Rishabh Pant Fails to Deliver at Lord's
Shastri spoke in simple terms, explaining why Pant didn’t need a team talk before walking out to bat.
"Just let him go today, don't even have a chat, that's what will confuse him!" Shastri said as quoted on Sky Sports.
He backed Pant to figure things out on his own and said the wicket-keeper had enough experience to do so.
"His computer is working. He is experienced enough. He's been around for a long time. He has got hundreds all around the world. He averages close to 45. He knows what to do. He knows the importance of his innings. But he's got to do it his way. If he tries to be someone else today. It's not gonna help," Shastri added.
In the end, Pant was bowled by a brilliant delivery from Archer. Soon after, KL Rahul and Washington Sundar were also dismissed, putting India in deep trouble early on Day 5.
India’s Chase Hangs by a Thread
India now need 98 runs to win with only three wickets in hand. Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy are at the crease, and this is the last recognised batting pair for the visitors.
With the pitch offering help to the bowlers and pressure mounting, the task seems almost impossible. But Jadeja has form by his side and if Reddy does well, they could have a shot at the target.
Also read: IND vs ENG: KL Rahul will be the main man if India are to win Lord's Test - Anil Kumble
