Pujara Slams Pant's Move to Drop Himself in the Line-up

Cheteshwar Pujara has leveled sharp criticism at Rishabh Pant for moving down himself in the batting lineup in the Lucknow Super Giants' loss to Delhi Capitals. Pant, who was bought by LSG at a staggering Rs 27 crore in the auction, decided to bat at number seven in a high-pressure game. This move surprised most people, especially in light of the significance that Pant plays to the team. He was only exposed to two balls and fell to the bowling of Mukesh Kumar on the final delivery of the innings, leaving eyebrows raised all over the cricketing world.

In a stern response, Pujara opined that Pant's decision to drop himself lower down the order was bewildering. The old-school batsman highlighted that Pant should ideally be in action in the middle overs, when the team requires stability and some runs. He insisted that Pant should be batting from the 6th to the 15th over, instead of attempting to play a finisher's role, a role which he believes is not up Pant's alley. Pujara was clear in his opinion that Pant’s attempt to imitate MS Dhoni’s finishing style was not appropriate, as Pant is still far from reaching that level of mastery.

Pujara’s comments reflected his belief that Pant's skills are better suited to the middle overs rather than trying to chase a target in the final overs. Pujara told us in his interview, "I don't know what the thought process was behind that decision, but there's no doubt that he should be batting higher up the order. He is trying to do what MS Dhoni does, but he's nowhere near that level." His view was unshakeable: Pant isn't a finisher, and by attempting to play that role, he jeopardizes his own natural game.

Contrary to Pujara's criticism, Pant justified the demotion in the batting order. In the post-match presentation, Pant said that the strategy of the team was to bring in players such as Samad and Miller to take advantage of the conditions of the wicket. Pant admitted that the wicket was tricky, which caused the problem of scoring runs. Pant added, "We understood that we were short by 20 runs, and the toss worked big-time. The bowing side takes huge assistance from the wicket, and we could not release the ball in a way that we desired." Pant acknowledged the fact that the strategy of the team did not materialize according to plan and the team will have to go for better combinations in the subsequent games.

In spite of Pant's defense, the decision has left people in doubt regarding Pujara's role and method in the match. Pant has not had a consistent show so far with 106 runs coming off eight innings and his best score remaining 63. Pant's struggle at the crease this season has been something that has bothered many, given the great hopes following his significant auction price tag. Most cricket enthusiasts and experts, including Pujara, are asking Pant to concentrate on his forte and play at a position that accommodates his natural game.

Pujara's criticism of Pant is not only limited to this particular game but also a part of a larger debate regarding Pant's position in the team. Being a wicketkeeper-batsman, it is anticipated that Pant will deliver solidity in the middle overs, when his explosive batting can turn the game around. But Pant's experimentation with roles such as a finisher has questioned his actual potential within the team. His batting woes have been compounded by his decision to bat down the order, and there are those who believe that he needs to concentrate on performing during the game's middle stages.

For the moment, Pant's Lucknow Super Giants future is up in the air, with all waiting to see how he copes with the position best suited to his talents. While his aggressive approach can be a game-changer, it's evident that Pant has to find a balance between playing his natural game and contributing in a more stable position in the batting order. While the team tries to identify their best combination, it's hoped that Pant will discover the form and consistency required to prove his worth to the team and live up to his hefty price tag.