Rishabh Pant has come under intense scrutiny during the ongoing India vs Australia Test match in Melbourne, particularly for his reckless batting decisions that led to his dismissals. The India wicketkeeper-batter’s performances have drawn criticism from various quarters, but none more so than from legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, whose impassioned commentary has gone viral on social media.
In the first innings, Pant’s dismissal was a result of a baffling shot attempt. The left-handed batter tried to play a scoop shot in an unnecessary situation, despite two fielders positioned to catch him if he played the shot. His decision to go for this risky shot was met with immediate condemnation from Gavaskar, who was commentating during the match. Gavaskar didn’t mince words, calling Pant's shot "stupid" multiple times. “Stupid, Stupid, Stupid. You've got two fielders there and you still go for that. That is throwing away your wicket," an irate Gavaskar said. He continued, "You have to understand the situation as well. You can't say that is your natural game. I am sorry, that is not your natural shot. That is a stupid shot, and that is letting your team down badly."
Despite the harsh criticism, Pant's performance didn't improve in the second innings. On Day 5, after getting set at the crease, Pant fell once again while attempting an ambitious shot. This time, it was Travis Head who dismissed Pant after he tried to hit a big shot that didn’t come off. His dismissal came at a critical time when India needed him to build a partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal, but Pant’s inability to adapt and his penchant for playing high-risk shots ultimately cost him his wicket again.
Pant’s recurring pattern of dismissals, particularly his inability to curb his natural aggressive style when the situation demands caution, has caused frustration among fans and experts alike. Following his second dismissal in the match, Sunil Gavaskar's name began trending on social media, with many fans eagerly awaiting his reaction to Pant’s latest reckless shot. On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), several fans expressed their disappointment with Pant's inconsistency and the lack of match awareness, echoing Gavaskar’s sentiments from earlier in the game.
One fan remarked, “Is Rishabh Pant playing in this team just because of the glory of the Gabba 2021? Once again a careless shot from inconsistent Rishabh Pant, now I need the reaction of Sunil Gavaskar.” Another user stated, "The great Sunil Gavaskar was right when he used 'stupid! stupid! stupid!' to refer to Pant's batting in the 1st innings. Match awareness is something that Pant still hasn't learned."
Pant’s performances have often been a mix of brilliance and inconsistency, with his natural aggressive approach sometimes working wonders, but at other times costing him his wicket. His dismissals in this Test match, particularly at crucial junctures, have again raised questions about his ability to adjust his game according to the situation. As India looks to maintain its competitive edge in the ongoing Test, Pant’s repeated mistakes have certainly drawn attention, and many will be keen to see if he can learn from his errors moving forward.
