Rishabh Pant in action on Day 3 of the fourth Test between India and Australia. (Screengrab)
His assessment of ‘Stupid, stupid, stupid’ was shared by many and dissed by others, but Sunil Gavaskar explained his criticism of Rishabh Pant’s doomed daredevilry came from a good place.
Speaking on ABC comms the day after, Gavaskar said, “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 problems with the first shot he played. The reason why I got upset was the ego took over for the next ball. I’ve just been hit in the midriff attempting a similar shot. I’m gonna show the bowler who’s the boss. Test cricket is not easy.”
The former batting ace’s comments had drawn 7 million views on Fb, together with Insta and Twitter it was 8.5 million, said ABC’s Alison Mitchell. “Viewed by 0.006 of India,’ she said.
Gavaskar clarified the occasion then demanded canny shot selection if not outright caution. “When he got out and got out at other end …and I was always saying that they have got two fielders there in the deep. And this is a big ground it’s not easy to hit the sixes. You’ve got the fielders in the catching position. Deep square leg and deep fine leg. But when he got caught in third man with the edge…” Gavaskar lamented.
Pant’s style of play is irresistible to watch, but won’t amount to much if he doesn’t stay on the crease long enough. And Gavaskar said the youngster is capable of striking a balance – like in the past. “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. Everything he’s got.”
The timing, in the final session, had gotten his goat. “So therefore to try and take a little bit of risk at that stage was a little too much.”
India since have resurrected thanks to fabulous century by Nitish Reddy and Jasprit Bumrah’s everyday brilliance.
Asked if his voicing of frustration had echoed amongst fans, Gavaskar said, “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.”
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