After ‘stupid, stupid!' remark in Australia, Sunil Gavaskar makes new Rishabh Pant admission: 'It seems like ...'
Sunil Gavaskar and Rishabh Pant (Agency Photos)
NEW DELHI:
Sunil Gavaskar
, once scathing in his criticism of
Rishabh Pant
, has now offered a more thoughtful appraisal of the explosive batter's style after the opening day of India's domination in the first Test against England.
During a segment on Sony Sports, Gavaskar heaped praise on Pant. Previously branding Pant's shot in Australia as 'Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!' on ABP Sport, Gavaskar has revisited his perspective.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
In his fresh remarks, Gavaskar said, 'It seems like that's how he plays. When he comes in to bat, on the second or third ball, he often uses his feet and hits a boundary. It makes him feel free and then allows him to play the way he wants.
"Over here, he's been measured in his approach, giving himself time out in the middle. But once he's in and the bowlers start to tire, that's when he begins to step down the pitch and really attack, hitting big shots, sixes, and boundaries.'
Poll
Do you believe Sunil Gavaskar's change in opinion about Pant is justified?
Yes, he has improved
No, he was right initially
Such quick-fire aggression is now viewed less as recklessness and more as a calculated release.
Gavaskar explained how Pant allows himself an initial period of restraint, adding, 'Because he gives himself that time early on, it becomes easier for him to play those aggressive strokes later.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah?
IC Markets
Mendaftar
Undo
When he defends, he seems to have so much time against the pace bowlers—it almost looks like he's taking the mickey out of them, saying, 'Look, I've got all the time in the world; I don't need to play a big shot, I'm just middling the ball.
' He's got enormous talent. I've seen him score hundreds in South Africa and Australia, and they've been absolutely unbelievable. There's such a great blend of defence and attack—starting with solid defence and then shifting to attack."
Yashasvi Jaiswal credits Shubman Gill after maiden Test ton in England: 'I love it'
Gavaskar's earlier harsh critique sprang from frustration over Pant's dismissal for just 28 during the tour of Australia.
'Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! He should not be going into that (India's) dressing room - he should be going into the other dressing room!' he had said.
With Pant's approach now paying dividends and India opening their five-Test series in England with an imposing 359/3 at stumps on Day 1, his captain's deputy
Shubman Gill
(127*) and
Yashasvi Jaiswal
(101) stole the headlines, while Pant held firm at 65 not out, even unleashing two late sixes to keep the momentum flowing.
Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
IND vs ENG: Rishabh Pant surpasses Rohit Sharma in major WTC milestone; a look at the numbers
India's Rishabh Pant (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) India's wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant showcased his dominance in Test cricket, scoring an unbeaten 65 on the opening day of the Leeds Test match against England, while also breaking records in the World Test Championship. Pant surpassed former India captain Rohit Sharma to claim the record for most sixes by an Indian batsman in the World Test Championship. LIVE: India vs England 1st Test Day 2 The left-handed batsman demonstrated his batting prowess by effectively handling both aggressive and defensive play during his innings. His performance helped India establish a strong position on day one of the Leeds Test match. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Pant's achievement in the World Test Championship sees him moving ahead of Rohit Sharma in the list of most sixes. Both players previously shared the second position with 56 sixes each before Pant's latest innings. Dominant India on Day 1! Jaiswal & Gill Hit Centuries | ENG vs IND 1st Test - Sahil from Leeds Rohit Sharma, who has now retired from Test cricket, concluded his World Test Championship career with impressive statistics of 2716 runs, including 56 sixes, 9 centuries, and 8 half-centuries. Pant's current World Test Championship record stands at 2317 runs, featuring 4 centuries and 14 half-centuries. Quiz: Who's that IPL player? England captain Ben Stokes leads the overall list of batsmen with most sixes in the World Test Championship with 83 big hits. Stokes has accumulated 3312 runs, including 7 centuries and 17 half-centuries, while also taking 82 wickets in the championship. Pant's continued presence at the crease, with the possibility of reaching his fifth century in the World Test Championship on day two, presents an opportunity for India to further consolidate their position in the match. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Japanese tennis player Kei Nishikori issues public apology after alleged affair with model Azuki Oguchi
Kei Nishikori (via Getty Images) Japanese tennis player Kei Nishikori has been embroiled in a controversy after Japanese media reported that he was cheating on his wife, Mai Yamauchi, with model Azuki Oguchi. The claim was proven true with his public apology to his family, fans, and sponsors. The news comes at a time when Kei Nishikori had withdrawn from Wimbledon 2025 and has shocked the tennis world, casting further doubts over his off-court woes. Japanese tennis sensation Kei Nishikori confesses to extramarital relationship, apologizes to family and sponsors Kei Nishikori married Mai Yamauchi in December 2020, and they have two children together. The scandal erupted when reports claimed that the former world No. 4 and now world No. 61 had been dating Japanese model Azuki Oguchi since 2022. Their romance reportedly began in Hawaii, and they were spotted at the Tokyo residence of Oguchi on June 11, 2025. In a statement, he apologized to his family, fans, sponsors, and tennis officials for the "dishonest behavior" and emotional distress it inflicted. 'I deeply apologize for causing discomfort to everyone who supports me—tennis fans, tennis associations, sponsors, and other related parties—and for their concern and inconvenience due to my dishonest behavior," his apology read. "In addition, I deeply regret that I made my wife, children, and each 'parent' feel hurt. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Middle-Class Americans Waste Money [Learn More] DollarPerks Learn More Undo From now on, in order to fulfill my life as a responsible member of society, I will solely focus on tennis competitions and produce results. We will do our best to regain your trust." Tennis star Kei Nishikori caught up in messy scandal after alleged years-long affair with model Kei Nishikori's career has been a trailblazer for Japanese and Asian tennis. He was the first and only Japanese man to win a Grand Slam singles final of the Open Era and won an Olympic bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics against Rafael Nadal. But now with this controversy, it is being marred off-court, a situation that has been rare in his previously low-profile private life. Also read: Roland Garros draw: Carlos Alcaraz starts against Kei Nishikori as Iga Swiatek gets tough draw Whether his fans and the tennis world will be ready to look to the future with him is yet to be seen, but one thing is certain: the next installment in the career of Kei Nishikori will be scrutinized more than ever. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
News18
an hour ago
- News18
'Niche Hi Reh...': Rishabh Pant Warns Shubman Gill After Stepping Out To Shoaib Bashir
Last Updated: Rishabh Pant advised Shubman Gill to keep his shot grounded if stepping out to Shoaib Bashir. With the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant has now entered the 'senior players' club of the Indian Test team. It's not just a decorative term. Being a senior member puts plenty of responsibility on Pant's shoulders that includes being the guiding light for the juniors around him. And not to forget he's the vice-captain of the Test team too. On Friday, during the first Day 1 of the series opening Test between India and England in Leeds, Pant was seen advising his captain Shubman Gill to keep his shot grounded when stepping out to England spinner Shoaib Bashir. ' Niche hi reh nikal raha hai toh. Ye aa jaata, uth gaya. (Kee your shot grounded if you're stepping out. This one rose and could've been caught.)," Pant can be heard telling Gill in a clip shared by Star Sports. Gill scored a memorable century and became the fifth Indian player to do so on Test captaincy debut joining the likes of Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar and Virat Kohli. At the close of play, he was unbeaten on 127. On the other hand, Pant is 65 not out and with Gill, has added 139 runs for the fourth wicket so far. At the close of play India were 359/3 in 85 overs. This was after England won the toss and surprisingly, opted to bowl first. They were made to toil hard with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal adding 91 runs for the first wicket. England did hit back with quick blows as they got rid of Rahul and B Sai Sudharsan in quick succession to end the morning session. However, India made a superb recovery losing just one more wicket in the remaining two sessions. First Published:
