Ahead of Day 5 of the third Test against England at Lord’s, former India head coach Ravi Shastri gave a strong piece of advice to the current Indian management. He urged skipper Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir to avoid any discussions with Rishabh Pant before the start of play. Speaking on Sky Sports, Shastri emphasized that any attempt to talk strategy or give instructions might only confuse Pant and disrupt his natural game.
Shastri highlighted that Pant is an experienced campaigner who fully understands the magnitude of the situation. With a Test average close to 45 and centuries in challenging overseas conditions, Pant doesn’t need to be reminded of his responsibilities. According to Shastri, Pant knows what is expected from him and how crucial his innings is if India wants to secure victory.
Importantly, Shastri stressed that Pant must play the way he knows best. Trying to mold him into a different kind of player or burdening him with instructions could backfire. “His computer is working,” Shastri said, implying that Pant’s instincts and cricketing intelligence should be trusted. Letting him play freely and instinctively is the best approach for India on the final day.
