"Can’t see him sitting and thinking I would do it again" - Shaun Pollock questions star Indian batter’s shot selection in IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test

Former South African seamer Shaun Pollock has opened up on Rishabh Pant's contentious shot to get out on Day 3 of the second Test in Guwahati. While Pollock said he understands Pant's natural counterattacking instinct, the 52-year-old opined that he can't see the wicketkeeper-batter doing it again in a similar situation.

On a day of India's shocking batting collapse, Pant's dismissal was the most talked about. With the hosts needing a partnership, the stand-in captain danced down the track for an aggressive shot in the second over after Tea, bowled by Marco Jansen. After nicking it to the keeper, Pant, who was on 7, took the DRS, but the decision stood and India slumped to 105/5.

When asked by ex-Indian cricketer Murali Kartik to decode the southpaw's dismissal, Pollock said Pant needed to wait for a few more overs as he holds the potential to put pressure on the bowlers after tiring them out. Pollock told Cricbuzz:

"He definitely went with his heart, didn’t he? They bowled a bouncer and then they place a short leg in and he charges down, nicking off. I suppose the nature of the individual means that you kind of get it. You get where he’s coming from. Does it make sense when you get out like that? It doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t matter how we can try and sugarcoat it. It just doesn’t look right. Particularly, given how destructive he can be in the situation. If he absorbs pressure for a little period there, he can apply some massive pressure against the spinners in particular and put them on the back foot."

The 108-Test veteran felt that Pant wanted to take charge as captain by going for that kind of a shot, adding:

"It is a case of a captain wanting to make a statement and try to get his troops to follow. Did he need to show a bit of a grit and determination? Did he need to be a bit more calculated about what he did? I would tend to suggest that even as he sits there now, he’s thinking to himself, today it was probably the wrong call or the timing of it was wrong. I could’ve maybe done a little bit later but I can’t see him sitting and thinking I would do it again."

The Indian skipper was part of the collapse that saw them tumble from 95/2 to 122/7. Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar stitched a gritty 72-run partnership to restore some control but the hosts managed only 201, conceding a 288-run first-innings deficit.

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"It all just seemed easy for South Africa" - Shaun Pollock

South African cricket team. (Credits: Proteas Men X)

Reviewing the day overall, Pollock asserted that he couldn't believe what he witnessed. In the same conversation, he said:

"Can’t believe it really, to be brutally honest. Thinking of the first two days, what would go on Day 3. To lose six wickets for the additional 27 runs at one stage. Jaiswal was great at the top of the order, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav showed some fight but it all just seemed easy for South Africa. Bowling them out for 201 after posting almost 500 and to have a lead out there. I suppose also the manner in which the dismissals occurred."

Pollock also reserved special praise for Jansen, who took six wickets by bouncing out the Indian batters after his 91-ball 93 knock.

"I mean who would have thought you would have Marco Jansen almost bouncing out five batters on an Indian pitch. When we came here, we thought spinning surfaces and that’s what it’s going to be and our spinners have to step up. He’s shown what he can do. He got two wonderful wickets and the chase at the Kolkata to start things off, then bowled brilliantly. As an ex all-rounder, I’ve got to appreciate what he's done. 93 now a six-for. If he doesn’t get Man of the Match award, I’m interested to see who does," he added.

The Proteas now hold a 314-run lead and will resume Day 4 at 26/0.