Sunil Gavaskar Clarifies 'Stupid' Remark On Rishabh Pant's Shot Selection
Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar on Saturday lashed out at Rishabh Pant's shot selection during a crucial moment on the third day of the Melbourne Test. The wicketkeeper-batter got dismissed on 28 runs off 37 balls and lost his wicket to Scott Boland. At that time, Gavaskar lost his cool and bashed on Pant, stating that Pant let the team down by giving away his wicket when India needed him the most.
This video of Gavaskar criticizing Pant had gone viral on social media; after this, he opened up on his comments made on the wicketkeeper-batter. He stated that he is very passionate about Indian cricket and it has given him everything in life.
Gavaskar said that,
"Honestly, this game has made me. Indian cricket has made me. So when I see somebody as talented as Rishabh Pant play that shot, and I had no problem with the first shot he played. The reason why I got upset was the ego took over the next ball. I've just been hit in the midriff attempting a similar shot. I'm going to show the bowler who's the boss. Test cricket is not easy."
Further, Gavaskar explained by saying that he found Pant's shot selection very wrong at that time. He even acknowledged his talent and past performances, but playing that risky shot destroyed the game.
"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."
"But that's not always the way he scored runs in the past. He has, of course, played those shots, and those have been outrageously good. But it looks like he's doing that. I've seen him play the cover drive along the ground very well. The square cut, the pull shot he plays so well, the flick off the pads."
At the end, Gavaskar stated that if he had gone for a 6, he would have applauded that shot as well.
"Yes, if he had connected and it had gone for a 6, I would've applauded the shot as well. But there you are, you get out, and it's a fine line with the bat between being carefree and careless. And I thought he crossed that line."
At the moment in the match, on Day 5, India stands on 112/3. Pant (28) and Jaiswal (63) are on the field and need 228 more runs in 38 overs to win the Boxing Day Test.