“He might have been the one responsible” - Former Australia batter blames Gautam Gambhir for Rishabh Pant’s approach in BGT 2024-25

Former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist has blamed India head coach Gautam Gambhir regarding Rishabh Pant's defensive game during the first innings of the fifth Test in Sydney. The remarks came as Pant scored 61 runs off just 33 balls in the second innings after managing 40 off 98 deliveries in the first essay. The wicketkeeper-batter looked out of his skin while playing defensive cricketing shots throughout his 98-delivery stint.

Gilchrist told Club Prairie Fire on YouTube:

"I think he might have been the one responsible for telling Rishabh to tone it down in that first innings, Sydney. So, for you, just call for his head [chuckles]."

Meanwhile, erstwhile England captain Michael Vaughan replied:

"Dig in, dig in."

Vaughan pointed out that Gambhir will be under pressure to deliver at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after losing the last two Test series on the trot. He said in the same video:

"Gambhir, he’s got a job on. I don’t think it’s easy. His last two series - 3-0 to New Zealand, 3-1 away in Australia. He’ll need a good Champions Trophy."

As a coach, Gambhir also lost the ODI series 0-2 in Sri Lanka last year besides the two aforementioned Test series.

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"Should be completely taken out of that Indian management group" - Michael Vaughan indirectly slams Gautam Gambhir for Rishabh Pant's defensive gameplay

Michael Vaughan indirectly slammed Gautam Gambhir for Rishabh Pant's defensive gameplay in the first innings of the fifth Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney. He added that the decision-maker should be removed from the management group for asking Pant to play a completely different brand of cricket.

Vaughan said in the same interaction:

"8.5/10, Whoever tried hard to have him [Rishabh Pant] to play conventionally in the first innings at the SCG, should be completely taken out of that Indian management group."

Gilchrist also added that Pant looked out of sorts while playing defense shots in Sydney. He said:

"We all felt for him in that first innings at the MCG to cope that cherry."

As per reports, the team management asked the players not to throw away their wickets and to stick to team protocols after Pant threw away his wicket twice in the fourth Test in Melbourne, departing for 28 and 30 runs, respectively.

It's worth mentioning that former India captain Sunil Gavaskar called him 'stupid' thrice on-air for his shot selection leading to his wicket in the first essay.

Rishabh Pant, however, finished the series with 255 runs in nine innings at an average of 28.33. The southpaw was India's top three run-getters in 2024-25 BGT Down Under.