Rishabh Pant’s run-out on Day 3 of the Lord’s Test between India and England changed the course of the game. India was in control, but the run-out allowed England to get back in the match. The Shubman Gill-led team was at 248 for 3, trailing England by 132 runs. India could have taken the lead, but they were all out for 387, which was England’s first innings score.
When the run-out happened, KL Rahul was at 99, and Pant wanted to let him bat so he could reach his century before lunch. Rahul later said that his desire to score the century led to the run-out.
Former India player Robin Uthappa questioned Rahul and India’s mindset. Did anyone ask him why he thought getting his 100 was so important before lunch? What was his reasoning? If someone had asked him, we could have understood the focus on milestones, Uthappa said on his YouTube channel.
I guess Rahul and Pant talked and decided to attack. Rahul might have thought that if he got his 100 before lunch, they could put pressure on England hard right after, and then Pant could defend while Rahul attacked, taking England out of the game. That might have been their plan, he added.
Uthappa also said that personal milestones are important in the careers of Indian cricketers. He blamed the Indian media and critics for that culture. I don’t think these numbers matter as much to an Australian or English player. It’s different for an Indian player. A hundred has more value because the Indian media and critics pay more attention to it. So, hundreds and milestones matter a lot, said Uthappa.