Sunil Gavaskar Explains His Passionate Outburst at Rishabh Pant's Dismissal
Sunil Gavaskar breaks his silence on his heated reaction after Rishabh Pant's dismissal, telling the story of his emotional response and the rationale for it. Find out more about Gavaskar's observations of the game and his concerns over Pant.
Sunil Gavaskar, one of India's most iconic cricketing figures, has explained in detail why he made that viral outburst following Rishabh Pant's dismissal on Day 3 of the ongoing 4th Test match at the MCG. Gavaskar's remarks during his live commentary for ABC Sport are creating a lot of controversies as he was hard on Pant. On Saturday, Pant attempted a risk scooter shot off Scott Boland, which went horribly wrong when the ball found a thick edge that was gobbled up easily by Nathan Lyon at deep third man. This dismissal, at the most crucial point in the match, angered Gavaskar enough to be vocal in his strongest expressions, referring to Pant's shot as "stupid, stupid, stupid".
As the video of his rant went viral, Gavaskar, known for his sharp insights into the game, was quick to clarify his remarks. In a candid admission, he explained that his outburst was driven by deep passion for the game and his immense respect for Indian cricket. Over three decades ago, Gavaskar had retired from the sport, but he said his love for Indian cricket was still as strong, which often influenced his reactions during commentary. "This game has made me. Indian cricket has made me," he said, adding that his emotional involvement with the team often gives rise to his strong opinions.
Gavaskar's frustration was not with Pant's first shot which was an aggressive attempt to score but with his follow-up decision to play an equally risky stroke. Former captain elaborated that when struck by a similar ball at the midriff, Pant's ego seemingly overtakes him. "I have just been hit on the midriff while attempting a similar shot," Gavaskar comments with an inference that, due to Pant's wish to gain dominance over the bowler, his ability was muddled. The comment was a reflection of the fact that Gavaskar believed, in Test cricket, ego-driven shots often lead to unnecessary risks, particularly in crucial situations.
Speaking of the dismissal, Gavaskar said the field placements and the size of the ground were critical factors in Pant's decision-making. He said with fielders deep at square leg and fine leg, the attempt to hit the ball to fine leg seemed ill-advised. Gavaskar also said that it was not that easy to clear those deep fielders, and all this on a large ground made Pant's shot rather questionable. "When he got out at the other end… I was always saying that they have got two fielders there in the deep. This is a big ground, it's not easy to hit sixes. You've got the fielders in the catching position," he explained. The essence of Gavaskar's criticism was that Pant's shot selection ignored the strategic field placements and the game's demands, which could have led to a more responsible approach.
However, Gavaskar could not forget Pant's incredible talent and ability to play some great cricket shots. He expressed disappointment that this young wicketkeeper-batter seemed to be relying too much on a certain style of play while in Australia. "I've seen him play some fabulous innings, Rishabh Pant. But here in Australia, I get the impression he thinks that's the only way he's going to score runs here. He's stepping down the pitch and lofting the ball and getting a boundary," said Gavaskar. This attack-minded approach he contrasted with the more traditional shots that Pant is known for, such as the cover drive, square cut, and pull shot, all of which are vital tools in a batsman's armory, particularly in Test cricket.
The essence of Gavaskar's criticism was not just about the dismissal but the bigger lesson in playing with discipline and responsibility. While Pant has surely hit some of the most reckless and genius shots of his life, Gavaskar has marked that a thin line separates carefreeness from being careless. "Yes, had he connected and it have gone for a 6, I would've applauded the shot as well," Gavaskar said. However, in this case, the shot did not come off, and Pant was sent back to the dressing room. "It's a fine line with the bat between being carefree and careless. And I thought he crossed that line," Gavaskar said, underlining that recklessness can often overshadow brilliance if not checked.
In the end, Sunil Gavaskar's passionate outburst must be treated as a reflection rather than a personal attack on Rishabh Pant. One is expected from those who represent their nation at the highest possible level. It was Gavaskar and his passion for the game as well as the potential for Indian cricket to stand on top of the chart that fueled his statement and reflected the responsibility every player carries when stepping out in the national jersey. His words come as a reminder to each and every cricketer, specially the young guns like Pant, talent is essential but the cricketing intelligence, the discipline of shot selection too are highly important for the ultimate level of triumph.