Rishabh Pant’s incessant chatter behind the stumps in the first Test has earned him plenty of attention and admirers in Australia, but Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar was unimpressed.
Pant’s chirping at Adelaide Oval was picked up clearly on the stump microphone, with Fox Sports’ commentary team taking the unusual step of falling silent and letting the keeper do their job for a short period of time.
Pant goaded striker Pat Cummins throughout an over from Ravichandran Ashwin on day five as India nervously charged towards a 31-run victory.
“C’mon Pat, let’s see some sixes … not putting away bad balls here. No intent of winning this match,” Pant said.
Mike Hussey, Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne were among the Australians to praise Pant’s antics but Gavaskar, whose name adorns the trophy that Australia and India are currently battling for, wasn’t happy.
“I totally understand encouraging your own team but to say something like, ‘come on Pat’ and all that, I don’t agree with,” Gavaskar said on Indian TV station Sony Six.
“You shouldn’t be saying anything to the opposition. If you want, you can talk to your team.
“But directly saying something to a fast bowler… if the next pitch at Perth is quick, I am sure Cummins is not going to forget that.
“So far it hasn’t gone beyond (the line), but at times you tend to get carried away.”
Pant completed a world record 11 catches in the first Test, equalling the mark set by English gloveman Jack Russell and South African star AB de Villiers.
The four-Test series continues in Perth on Friday.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Plural of tooth is "teeth" not tooths. Tooths was a brand of beer.
VivGilchrist
Roar Rookie
Nice one Don. How old are you? 15?
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
World record 11 catches - now that’s a dumb statistic. As in baseball the key stat should be errors or catches drop. None of Pant’s catches were difficult and he dropped the only slightly tough one that came his way, off Lyon It was actually a poor performance. Pant is taking up the kind of trash talk behind the stumps pioneered by our Australians in the 90s. This kind of barrage explicitly designed to put batsmen off originated in baseball, and would not have been acceptable in earlier years. People like Pant would have been put in their place. It’s a cowardly way if you think about it - you want to talk to me, talk to my face. The batsman really can’t do much because he’s trying to concentrate. If you think this is all fair game - imagine if they introduced this in golf, or tennis. Nothing natural about it. The occasional wisecrack or bit of banter, but this constant carry on? I’m with Gavaskar. But Australia can’t complain as we’ve led the way.
Is Don Is Good
Guest
Hi doug, I have a fair idea just what it is that you have a grip on...
Ajbaruah
Roar Rookie
I'll have some of what you're smoking doug. Pant never said any of the last four things you mentioned. What a way to spread misinformation. The reason Gilchrist and Warne applauded Pant was because of him trying to get under Pat's skin. They even mentioned that he wasn't degrading or personal in any way. Please check your facts before you post them.
Paul D
Roar Guru
So you're complaining about unbroadcast comments - what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch
doug heffernan
Guest
Yep I'm a grip working for Channel 7. He sure said all those things. Terrible behaviour that goes unpunished. Should be banned or fined.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Yeah I find that hard to be believe too, particularly the comments about Usman's brother. That would be disgraceful if that was the case.
Nudge
Roar Rookie
You sure he said all that stuff? If he did I would have thought it would have been reported in the media.
doug heffernan
Guest
Stump mic picked up the following from Pant: “C’mon Pat, let’s see some sixes … not putting away bad balls here. No intent of winning this match,” Pant said. “C’mon Pat, doggy doggy do it doggy hit the whistle now!" ” Pant said. “Nathan Lyon you cannot be in this game. You overarm slum!" ” Pant said. “Usman, your brother lie in jail for life" Pant said. “Sandpaper boys on the night. sandpaper boys ban for life. dogs.” Pant said
doug heffernan
Guest
As usual certain players and teams are untouchable whilst others getting fined. The stump mic picked up Pant saying the following: “C’mon Pat, let’s see some sixes … not putting away bad balls here. No intent of winning this match,” Pant said. “C’mon Pat, doggy doggy do it doggy hit the whistle now!" ” Pant said. “Nathan Lyon you cannot be in this game. You overarm slum!" ” Pant said. “Usman, your brother lie in jail chains d**d for life" Pant said. “Sandpaper boys on the night. sandpaper boys ban for life. dogs.” Pant said. I think Cummins needs to bowl a short one to Pant and have it jag up and shatter a few tooths