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Former Indian captain Anil Kumble’s take on Pant coming down the order for LSG

While Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishab Pant had another forgetful outing in this year’s IPL during the side’s eight-wicket loss against Delhi Capitals, it was the decision of Pant coming to bat at number 7 with two balls remaining in the innings which left all wondering about the reason for the wicket-keeper batsman coming much down in the batting order. Pant was dismissed off the last ball of the innings, failing to score any run. Earlier, Pant was seen having an animated discussion with team mentor Zaheer Khan while sitting in the dug-out and waiting for his turn to bat in the 19th over. Former Indian captain Anil Kumble believed that Pant was wronged the team management in their decision to send him down the batting order.
“It’s alright if you wanted to bat more freely under less pressure coming in late but this was way too late. The kind of frustration Rishabh is showing is evident that he was wronged. He probably wanted to bat higher. Was it his decision? Or was it coach Justin Langer’s or maybe mentor Zaheer Khan’s? Whose decision was it? Because he looked very frustrated,” Kumble said while commentating on Star Sports.
Lucknow Super Giants were placed at 99 for 2 in 11.2 overs post the dismissal of Nicholas Pooran. It was expected that Pant would walk in but the Lucknow Super Giants team management sent Abdul Samad instead. The side would add only 60 runs in the next 50 balls before Pant arrived at the crease with two balls remaining. The batsman, who was bought Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 27 crore in the IPL mega-auction last year, was seen having an animated discussion with Khan in the dug-out prior to his arrival at the crease. Kumble also added that Pant has to make peace in such situations. “You have to make peace in these situations. He is the captain. He has to take it in a positive way. Whatever frustration or anger he has, he should translate that into positive performance,” added Kumble.
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Meanwhile, Kumble’s fellow commentator and former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina too shared his take on the animated discussion between Pant and Khan. “20 overs are left. You have to keep wickets and captain the side. You have to make your side win. He is discussing that with Zaheer Khan. ‘I told you, send me in’,” Raina said while commentating on Star Sports.
Lucknow Super Giants suffered their fourth loss in this year’s IPL. Post the match, Pant did admit that the team has to find the best combination. “The idea was to capitalise. We sent Samad to capitalise on a wicket like that. After that, Miller came in and we just really got stuck in the wicket. Eventually, these are the things we’ve got to figure out and try to find our best combination going forward,” said Pant post the match.

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