BGT 2024-25: Stupid Shot! Sunil Gavaskar slams Pant's dismissal in Melbourne test
Xtra Time Web Desk: Rishabh Pant’s dismissal on Day 3 of the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground sparked sharp criticism from cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar. The former India captain did not hold back, labeling Pant’s shot selection as “shocking” and “terrible.”
Pant, who was batting confidently and countering the bounce from Pat Cummins and Scott Boland, suddenly lost focus. After being struck on the ribs while attempting a risky flick off Boland, the wicketkeeper-batter repeated the same shot on the very next delivery. With fielders stationed at fine leg, square leg, and third man, Pant’s top edge landed straight into the hands of the third man, ending his innings at 28.
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Sunil Gavaskar on Rishabh Pant - "Stupid, stupid, stupid!" ???? #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/QvYtqzQfW0
— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) December 28, 2024
Gavaskar, visibly frustrated, criticized Pant for failing to assess the match situation and suggested he reconsider his approach in Test cricket. Speaking on commentary, Gavaskar fumed, “Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! He should not be going into that (India’s) dressing room - he should be going into the other dressing room!”
The former cricketer further analyzed the dismissal, emphasizing that Pant’s shot selection did not suit the match scenario. Gavaskar remarked, “Shocking! Both the dismissal and running. No need for such runs and shots at this time. It could also be because of the way Australia have bowled, no free runs, no singles on offer. It's not T20 cricket or 50 overs cricket.”
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“Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!”
— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_Meadows) December 28, 2024
“He should not be going into that (India’s) dressing room - he should be going into the other dressing room!”
Sunny G is fired up about Pant on @abcsport.
Pant’s aggressive style is often praised for adding flair, but Gavaskar pointed out that calculated risks are acceptable only when fielders are not stationed in the deep. He added, “Earlier, when there were no fielders around, he attempted those shots. This is understandable because you are taking a calculative risk. Here, the fielder was placed in the deep... it was a terrible selection of a shot at that point in time.”
Critiquing Pant’s consistency, Gavaskar suggested that if he continues playing in this manner, he should bat lower in the order rather than at No.5. Gavaskar noted, “It appears to be that it's the only way he seems he is capable of scoring runs... Then you've got to be prepared that he will get you runs sometimes. If that is the case, he cannot bat at No.5, he's got to bat down the order.”
Highlighting Pant’s inconsistency, Gavaskar pointed out that he had crossed 50 only three times in 18 innings, questioning whether such a record justified his position at No.5 in the batting lineup.
