Rishabh Pant under fire after Galle dismissal for 39

Rishabh Pant has drawn sharp criticism after his dismissal for 39 against Sri Lanka on Day 2 of the first Test in Galle. The wicketkeeper-batter stepped out to off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha and lofted the ball straight to Sonal Dinusha at mid-off, failing to convert a start into a big score. Rediff.com reports fans have called him a 'waste of talent' and demanded his removal from the Test team, while timesnownews.com notes that his competition Dhruv Jurel scored 51 in the same innings.

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif, speaking on Sony Sports via timesnownews.com, criticised Pant's lack of 'common sense' and 'cricketing logic', especially after Sri Lanka took the new ball. 'He was left way behind in logic and cricketing sense,' Kaif said, adding that other aggressive batters show better judgement. However, ex-India batter Ajinkya Rahane, quoted by rediff.com, defended Pant's natural style but stressed he must 'learn to understand the team's message'.

Pant's recent returns have been poor: 49 runs in four innings against South Africa and 81 in one innings against Afghanistan. Fans and pundits alike are questioning his consistency, with some urging the selectors to drop him. The Test continues in Galle, with India needing to rebuild its middle order.