India's Rishabh Pant reacts after being hit by a ball during play on the third day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. Photo: AP India's Rishabh Pant reacts after being hit by a ball during play on the third day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. Photo: AP

Sunil Gavaskar's rant over Rishabh Pant's dismissal in the first innings of the fourth Test between India and Australia has gone viral. The legendary former India opener minced no words as he described Pant's shot selection as stupid. (Day 3 Blog | Full Coverage | More Cricket News)

Rishabh Pant was dismissed on 28, trying to scoop Scott Boland early on the third morning of the match. He had tried the same shot a ball earlier but mistimed it on to his own body. On the next ball, he tried it again only for the leading edge to carry to the deep third man fielder Nathan Lyon.

The wicket left India tottering at 191 for six, a little less than 300 runs behind Australia's first innings total of 474. With the wicket offering little help to the bowlers, Pant's shot selection faced massive backlash and Gavaskar was absolutely furious on air.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" 😡🏏 Safe to say Sunny wasn't happy with Rishabh Pant after that shot.Read more: https://t.co/bEUlbXRNpm💻📝 Live blog: https://t.co/YOMQ9DL7gm🟢 Listen live: https://t.co/VP2GGbfgge #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Fe2hdpAtVl

— ABC SPORT (@abcsport) December 28, 2024

"Stupid, stupid, stupid," said Gavaskar on ABC radio while doing live commentary for the match. "You've got two fielders there, and you still go for that, you've missed the previous shot. And look where you've been caught. You've been caught at deep third man. That is throwing away your wicket. Not in the situation that India was. You have to understand the situation as well, you cannot say that that's your natural game. I'm sorry, that is not your natural game. That is a stupid shot. That is letting your team down badly!"

Former India coach Ravi Shastri also termed Pant's attempt to scoop Boland a "very risky shot".

After two successful tours of Australia, Pant has struggled this time around. In six innings, the left-hander is yet to score a half-century. He has not been able to make a big score despite getting multiple starts in the series.

"It is a great honour to be nominated for the FIH Player of the Year Award again," the Indian defender stated in a Hockey India release.

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