Legendary Indian cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar spoke of his deep love for Indian cricket as he elaborated on his sharp criticism of Rishabh Pant’s dismissal in the current fourth Test against Australia. Pant fell to Scott Boland while attempting a flick shot, which prompted Gavaskar to term the decision “stupid” and that Pant should “not bother coming to the dressing room.”.
Gavaskar, during a recent commentary, elaborated on his views to underline the challenges that come with Test cricket. “This game has made me what I am. Indian cricket has shaped my career. When watching such a gifted player like Rishabh Pant do this, it saddens one. There was nothing wrong with that first shot; what infuriated me was the ego taking precedence over the next ball. In Test cricket, respect has to be given to the game.”.
While pointing that out, Gavaskar felt that Pant getting dismissed caught at third man was somewhat predicative considering the set field. “There were two fielders deep and this is a vast ground. It’s not easy to clear boundaries with those positions. I kept thinking that he should be cautious, and yet he got caught off an edge,” he said.
The former cricketer acknowledged Pant’s potential for executing classic shots but urged the young player to exercise patience and maturity in high-pressure situations. “I’ve witnessed him play some remarkable innings, but here in Australia, he seems to believe that lofting the ball is the only way to score. He’s stepping down the pitch too often, seeking boundaries,” Gavaskar observed.
He pointed out that Pant has a host of solid shots in his repertoire, including the cover drive, square cut, pull shot, and flick off the pads. “If he had connected and hit a six, I would have applauded the effort. But there’s a fine line between being carefree and careless, and I believe he crossed that line,” Gavaskar concluded, underlining the judicious shot selection needed in the longer format of the game.
