"If they are smart, they play on his emotions a bit" - Mark Boucher's advice to South Africa on tackling Team India star in 1st IND vs SA 2025 Test

Former South African wicketkeeper Mark Boucher urged the visitors to play on Rishabh Pant's emotions and frustrate him to come out on top against India's dangerman in the opening Test in Kolkata, starting November 14. The 28-year-old is returning after missing India's last three Tests with a foot injury.

Pant played the two unofficial Tests against South Africa-A in the build-up to the marquee series against the World Test champions. The southpaw scored 196 runs at an average of 49, including two half-centuries.

When asked about South Africa's possible tactics to dislodge the attacking wicketkeeper batter, Boucher said on Star Sports:

"Rishabh Pant is a very dangerous player. We've seen him change games in the space of a few hours. South Africa will know that, and they need to have their preparation against him. If they are smart, they play on his emotions a bit. Also, understand what he wants to do and how he wants to dominate."

Boucher continued:

"It's not defensive to put a couple of boundary riders out to Rishabh Pant and make him really work hard for his runs. It's not something he isn't used to doing, but the way that he plays, he wants the scoreboard to be ticking all the time. You can put a slight halt to that and frustrate him a bit. So they need to do their homework properly with him, which I am sure they would have probably already done."

Pant boasts an outstanding Test record with 3,427 runs at an average of 44.50, including eight centuries, in 47 games.

"They need to get their match-ups right" - Mark Boucher

Mark Boucher advised the Proteas to focus on the right bowling match-up against Rishabh Pant, irrespective of the game situation. The 28-year-old has been on and off against South Africa in Tests, averaging 37.20 with a lone 50+ score in six innings.

"We talk about match-ups in T20 cricket, but with regard to Rishabh Pant and the way that he plays, they need to get their match-ups right as well. It doesn't always work out in Test cricket that way. The bottom line is you've to get the ball in the right area. The best way to get him out is in his first couple of balls because then he doesn't have any impact on the game.," said Boucher (via the aforementioned source).

He concluded:

"So they've got to get those match-ups and feel who is the best chance to get him out in the first two to three overs he faces, and be bold and brave to get those bowlers on, even if it's in a tricky situation where they are maybe coming off a spell."

Pant has been in sparkling form in Tests this year, averaging over 64 at a strike rate of 77.54, including two centuries and four half-centuries, in five outings.

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Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran