Rishabh Pant’s Dismissal: Karthik Blames Gambhir for Potential Tactical Interference

Rishabh Pant’s stunning century in the England series’ first Test at Headingley was a highlight, surpassing MS Dhoni’s record. However, his innings ended prematurely at 134. Dinesh Karthik, during commentary, raised questions about the potential influence of head coach Gautam Gambhir on Pant’s dismissal. Karthik suggested that instructions from Gambhir might have prompted a shift in Pant’s batting strategy. Karthik observed that a message to Pant seemed to have affected his aggressive play. He emphasized the significance of how coaches communicate with players, particularly those with unique styles. The Indian team, after a promising start with strong performances from Jaiswal, Gill, and Pant, ultimately lost momentum, losing their last seven wickets for a small number of runs, with Josh Tongue and Ben Stokes dominating the bowling attack.