Tensions ran high in the Indian dressing room on Day 1 of the second Test between India and England at Edgbaston, Birmingham, as Rishabh Pant’s untimely dismissal triggered a wave of frustration both on the field and in the dugout. The India vice-captain and star wicketkeeper-batter was seen furiously smashing his helmet after his dismissal in the first innings.
The incident occurred on the first ball of the 61st over when England’s young spinner Shoaib Bashir delivered a full-length ball to Pant. In an attempt to accelerate the scoring rate, Pant went for a lofted shot. However, he failed to get the elevation or timing right and ended up hitting the ball flat towards long-on. Zak Crawley, stationed there, judged the catch perfectly, moving to his right to complete it cleanly.
Pant, who was batting on 25 off 42 balls with one boundary and one six, looked visibly upset with himself as he trudged off the field. The moment he reached the dressing room, the frustration boiled over. Cameras caught him smashing his helmet in rage, a rare but telling glimpse into the emotional toll of the game.
Pant's dismissal and the reactions that followed have quickly gone viral on social media, with fans and analysts divided over whether the attacking shot was necessary at that stage of the innings. While some have defended Pant’s aggressive style, others have called for more responsibility from senior players during crucial phases of a Test match.
'It Should Be Taken Out...': Ravi Shastri Slams Decision To Rest Jasprit Bumrah For IND Vs ENG 2nd Test; Video
Former India coach Ravi Shastri has criticised the decision to rest fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test match against England at Edgbaston. India are currently trailing 0-1 in the five-match series, and Shastri believes this game is too important to leave Bumrah out.
Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports, Shastri said he was surprised by the decision, especially since there was a full week’s break after the first Test. He also said that decisions like this shouldn’t be left to players alone.
"This is a very important match, they’ve had a week off. I’m little surprised Bumrah is not playing this game. It should be taken out of the player’s hand. It should be the captain and the coaching staff that should decide who should be playing the 11. This is an important game in the context of the series, he should be playing this game," said Shastri.
The current team management, under new coach Gautam Gambhir, is trying to manage Bumrah’s workload because of his past injuries. They want him to play only three Tests in the series. But Shastri warned that not playing him now could put India at risk of going 0-2 down.
Many fans and former cricketers have also questioned the decision. With tough matches ahead, not having Bumrah in this key game has become a hot topic of debate.
