Legendary Indian batter and former captain Sunil Gavaskar expressed his frustration on Saturday, December 28, after Rishabh Pant played a reckless shot during the first innings of the fourth Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Rishabh Pant, who had scored 28 runs off 36 balls, attempted an ambitious shot against Scott Boland but failed to make proper contact. The resulting mis-hit went high into the air, allowing Nathan Lyon to complete a straightforward catch. The dismissal marked the first wicket of the third day’s play, putting India in a precarious position.
While commentating for ABC Sport alongside Harsha Bhogle, Gavaskar did not hold back his criticism of Pant’s poor shot selection. In a video widely shared on social media, Gavaskar called the dismissal “stupid” and admonished Pant for ignoring the field placement and the game situation.
“You’ve got two fielders there, and you still go for that. You missed the previous shot. And look where you have been caught – at deep third man. That is throwing away your wicket,” Gavaskar remarked. “Not in the situation that India was in. You have to understand the situation as well. You cannot say that’s your natural game. I’m sorry. That’s not your natural game. That is a stupid shot. That is letting your team down badly!”
Pant’s dismissal came at a critical juncture, with India aiming to reduce the deficit and stabilize their innings. Sunil Gavaskar’s comments highlight the importance of adapting to match conditions and prioritizing team requirements over individual instincts, a lesson Pant is often criticized for not heeding.
