On the eve of a high-stakes Day 5 at Lord’s, Ravi Shastri offered a clear and bold suggestion to Team India: let Rishabh Pant be. With India chasing 193 and tensions running high, Shastri urged head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Shubman Gill not to interfere with Pant’s process.
“Just let him go today. Don’t even have a chat—that’ll only confuse him!” Shastri said live on Sky Sports, just minutes before play resumed.
He emphasized that Pant, experienced and battle-hardened, didn’t need extra input. What he needed was space.
But Moments Later… Gill Is Seen Chatting With Pant
Ironically, while Shastri’s comments were still fresh on air, the cameras cut to Shubman Gill doing exactly what Shastri had warned against—having a conversation with Pant at the Lord’s balcony.
Gill had just been dismissed late on Day 4. With the team under pressure at 58/4, he was seen exchanging words with Pant, who was about to walk in as India’s last true hope in the chase.
“He Knows What’s at Stake”—Shastri Backs Pant’s Instincts
Shastri didn’t question Pant’s talent or temperament. In fact, he praised him.
“His computer is working. He’s been around long enough. He’s got hundreds all over the world. He knows exactly what this innings means. But he has to play it his way. The moment he tries to be someone else—it won’t work.”
It was a strong endorsement for Pant to trust his natural game and instincts, especially in a high-pressure moment like this.
Pant’s Red-Hot Form in the Series
Pant had been the standout performer in the series so far. He started with back-to-back centuries in the Headingley Test, overtaking MS Dhoni for most Test hundreds by an Indian keeper. Then came a blistering half-century in Birmingham, followed by another classy 50 in the first innings at Lord’s.
India needed him to do it again—this time under immense pressure.
Pant Starts Bright but Archer Ends It Brutally
Pant walked in full of intent. Despite a finger injury, he took on Jofra Archer with flair, smashing two early boundaries and even launching one down the ground with one hand off the bat.
But Archer wasn’t done. He went full, straight, and sharp. One ball seamed in late and crashed into Pant’s off stump. Just like that, the hope he carried was gone.
Pant fell for 16, and with him, India’s chase took a major hit. That half hour of magic that could have changed everything—never came.
India Left Reeling as Lord’s Test Hangs in Balance
Pant’s dismissal was a gut punch. India, needing 135 more with just six wickets in hand at the start of Day 5, were suddenly staring at trouble. KL Rahul stood alone, and the lower order now had to do the heavy lifting.
Shastri’s advice may have been ignored—but in hindsight, his instincts were spot on. Sometimes, the best way to help a player like Rishabh Pant… is to just let him be.
