"We don't want to crucify him for getting it wrong occasionally" - Former Aussie pacer on Rishabh Pant’s awkward dismissal in 4th BGT 2024-25 Test

Former Australian pacer Stuart Clark reckons that one cannot be too harsh on Rishabh Pant over his manner of dismissal on Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne on Saturday, December 28. He, however, admitted that the aggressive Indian keeper-batter played a wrong stroke considering the situation of the game.

Pant came in for a lot of criticism after he perished attempting a cheeky stroke in India's first innings. The left-handed batter tried to scoop Scott Boland, but ended up being caught at deep third man off the leading edge. His dismissal for 28 left India in big trouble at 191-6, responding to Australia's first innings total of 474.

Speaking to news agency PTI, Clark urged a sense of restraint with regard to being critical of Pant's shot selection. He commented:

“I think you've got to be careful with Rishabh Pant because he plays those (shots) and we all sit here and sing how good a shot it actually was. So, the fact he got it wrong, I think, it's more the timing of when he played the shot, which is the issue."

“We've seen him play it so many times and been so successful at it. We don't want to crucify him for getting it wrong occasionally because he's a world-class player but just the moment in the game, didn't call for it and he got it wrong,” the 49-year-old went on to add.

Pant has managed only 124 runs in six innings in BGT 2024-25 at an average of 20.67. His best of 37 came in the first innings of the opening Test in Perth.

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"Stupid, stupid, stupid" - Gavaskar slammed Pant over his dismissal on Day 3 of 4th BGT 2024-25 Test

Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar was absolutely livid with the manner of Pant's dismissal on Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test against Australia. Speaking on ABC Radio during commentary, he slammed all suggestions of the southpaw playing his natural game and termed the stroke a stupid one.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid. 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," Gavaskar commented.

Nitish Kumar Reddy (105*) and Washington Sundar (50) lifted India from a precarious 221-7, adding 127 runs for the eighth wicket. At Stumps on Day 3, India were 358-9, trailing the Aussies by 116 runs.