Sat Dec 28 09:01:13 UTC 2024: ## Pant’s Reckless Shot Sparks Outrage as India Continues to Struggle in Melbourne
**Melbourne, Australia –** Rishabh Pant’s dismissal on Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test match has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar leading the charge in condemning the batsman’s reckless shot. Pant, known for his aggressive batting style, played a poorly timed “falling sweep” shot, resulting in a simple catch for Nathan Lyon. This, after a similar near-miss on the previous ball, left Gavaskar fuming.
“Stupid, stupid, stupid!” Gavaskar exclaimed during his commentary stint on ABC Sport. He criticized Pant for attempting the risky shot with two fielders positioned on the leg side, highlighting the shot’s lack of situational awareness. Gavaskar went further, stating that the shot wasn’t representative of Pant’s natural game and that it was a serious let-down for his team.
Fellow commentator Harsha Bhogle speculated about a tense dressing room atmosphere following the dismissal, a suggestion met with Gavaskar’s sharp retort: “He should not be going in that [India’s] dressing room, he should be going in the other dressing room.”
Other commentators echoed the sentiment. Mark Howard of Fox Cricket described Pant watching his dismissal in disbelief, while Alyssa Healy noted the inherent risk of the shot with two leg-side fielders. Greg Blewett of Triple M Cricket called for an explanation of Pant’s decision-making process, emphasizing the need for strategic batting choices.
Pant’s dismissal is the latest in a series of wickets gifted by India to Australia in the match, continuing a frustrating trend for the touring side.
First Piper 