# Bhogle slams India’s batting approach after Pant’s quick dismissal

2026-08-17T05:05:23+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

Veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle criticised India's batting approach in the second innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Tuesday. India were bowled out for 193, setting Sri Lanka a target of 372. Bhogle said on X that India took time out of the game in the last 40 minutes without adding enough runs, and with rain threatening, they should have given themselves more time to take 10 wickets. Rishabh Pant top-scored with 66 off 69 balls, but his dismissal for 39 in the first innings also drew criticism. Former India batter Mohammed Kaif said Pant's shot selection lacked common sense, noting that he tried a big shot in the first over after the second new ball was taken. Kaif said he supports Pant's attacking game but felt the batter should have read the situation better. India's first innings total of 462 was built on Devdutt Padikkal's maiden Test century (167). Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar took three wickets each to bowl Sri Lanka out for 284, giving India a 178-run lead. Rain interrupted the final session on Day 4, and Sri Lanka will need 372 runs on the final day with four sessions left.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The coverage splits between two distinct angles: Kaif's criticism of Pant's shot selection (source 1) and Bhogle's broader tactical critique of India's batting approach (sources 2 and 3). Source 1 frames the story around Pant's individual error, while sources 2 and 3 lead with Bhogle's commentary about team strategy and rain. All three sources are neutral in tone. The measured reading is that India's aggressive batting may have been justified to accelerate scoring, but the rain factor made the timing questionable. The key number to watch is the 372 runs Sri Lanka need on Day 5.

## Coverage

Coverage: 3 sources, 3 neutral
- m9.news (neutral report) <https://www.m9.news/sports/rishabh-pant-shot-selection-kaif-criticism-test/>
  Reports Kaif's criticism of Pant's shot selection, does not editorialise.
- timesnownews.com (neutral report) <https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/not-quite-sure-what-the-approach-was-harsha-bhogle-criticises-indias-tactics-on-day-4-vs-sri-lanka-article-155748451>
  Reports Bhogle's critique without taking sides.
- sports.ndtv.com (neutral report) <https://sports.ndtv.com/sri-lanka-vs-india-2026/indias-gameplan-against-sri-lanka-slammed-in-brutal-verdict-not-quite-sure-11927936>
  Reports Bhogle's critique and Padikkal's comments, no slant.

This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources. Last updated 2026-08-19T11:43:34+00:00.

Tags: India, Mohammed Kaif, Rishabh Pant, Sri Lanka, Test cricket
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