"There was enough doubt for you to give it not out" - Aakash Chopra on Rishabh Pant's dismissal in IND vs NZ 2024 3rd Test
Aakash Chopra is unsure whether Rishabh Pant was out during India's second innings of the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai. However, he opined that there was enough doubt for the third umpire not to overrule the on-field umpire's decision.
Pant top-scored for India with a 57-ball 64 on Sunday, November 3. The on-field umpire negated the initial appeal for caught behind off Ajaz Patel's bowling. However, the decision was overturned after a review, though it seemingly wasn't clear whether the ball had taken the inside edge before hitting the pads.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener said he wasn't convinced whether the third umpire should have given Pant out.
"Was he out? It's a tight one. Hot Spot was the only way to know whether he was out or not. Hot Spot is not used. It's military technology and isn't available everywhere that easily. Very expensive also. Let's be fair, it has never been used in India," he said (6:20).
"There are two opinions. A slight deflection was visible, maybe that's what went against him, but the bat was brushing the pad at the same time. The New Zealand guys would think he was out and the Indian guys would think he was not out. I felt he could have been given not out. There is enough doubt for you to give it not out and stay with the umpire's call," Chopra added.
Chopra pointed out that the on-field decision should have stayed as the third umpire didn't seem to have conclusive evidence that the ball had hit the bat.
"However, this is like venting your frustration. If he was out, so be it, the others should have also done something. Of course, he could have won the match alone. However, was he out or not out? I am 50-50. There is no clear evidence. He could have been given not out because you probably didn't have conclusive evidence to overturn the on-field umpire's decision," he observed.
Pant's dismissal reduced India to 106/7 in pursuit of a 147-run target. The hosts lost their last three wickets at the score of 121 to lose by 25 runs.
"Rishabh Pant showed that you can score runs if there is a healthy mix of caution and aggression" - Aakash Chopra
![Rishabh Pant was the only player to score more than 12 runs in India's second innings. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/ca520-17306958034552-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra praised Rishabh Pant for being the only Indian batter to play a fighting knock.
"Pant was standing with India as their only hope. He showed that no matter how the pitch might be, you can play on it. It was a difficult pitch but you still have to do the job. Rishabh Pant showed that you can score runs if there is a healthy mix of caution and aggression," he said (4:30).
The reputed commentator added that the wicketkeeper-batter has stood out virtually every time in difficult conditions.
"It is exceptional ability. I won't say everyone can play that easily but he played. Rishabh Pant showed that it could be done. He has shown it repeatedly, He did it in Bengaluru also. He scored 99 there also. He missed out in Pune. He has scored runs in SENA countries. If the conditions are difficult, he is our all-weather player," Chopra observed.
Chopra also praised Shubman Gill for showing an improvement in his game against spin, although he acknowledged that the right-handed batter made an error in leaving the ball in the last innings. He concluded by noting that Pant is not only India's savior but the poster boy of Test cricket.