Rishabh Pant’s dismissal in Johannesburg after the spat was a dramatic step in the series: Rassie van der Dussen

South Africa batsman Rassie van der Dussen said that the Proteas benefited from Rishabh Pant’s spat in India’s second innings of the second Test. During India’s second innings, Van der Dussen was seen bantering with the Indian wicketkeeper-batter at the Wanderers.
Pant responded with a retort and then attempted a big shot, but edged the ball to the wicketkeeper. After only facing three balls, Pant was out for a duck.

“It was merely a moment in which I asked Rishabh Pant a few questions. I’m not sure why he didn’t enjoy it. But I was not hostile in any way. The offence could stem from the way he took it, not the way I did,” Van der Dussen told ESPNCricinfo.

“It was a nice position at short leg. There was never any hostility going on. And when I went out to bat, they retaliated quite nicely. It is part of the game. It’s Test cricket. Everyone is trying to level the playing field.”
“I don’t know if he would have played that shot if I hadn’t been there or if I hadn’t said anything. I know by nature he is that type of player. In hindsight, it was a massive moment for us in the Test series,” he said.

Following the first Test, India lost the second and third by seven wickets. According to Van der Dussen, he enjoys bantering with opponents.
“I enjoyed it. By nature, I am quite competitive. Growing up in a club cricket system in Pretoria, which is very hostile in terms of verbals, I’ve never been one to shy away from a bit of banter. The Indians called it sledging. I would never call it that. These days with cameras and stump mics, we don’t really know what sledging is but I did enjoy it. I’m always the type of guy – I play hard on the field. I’m obviously never going to be personal,” he added.