The former cricketer and current cricket commentator Sunil Gavaskar who once scathed criticism over Rishabh Pant, has give an thoughtful appraisal after the wk-batters stunning century in the first test of the India tour of England 2025.
Previously, Gavaskar has criticised Pant for his woeful shot selection during Australia tests and went on to call him ‘stupid, stupid, stupid!. He has been underperforming during the Border Gavaskar Trophy and recently concluded IPL 2025.
However, he came back to form after hitting a century during the match between LSG and CSK. With his form been concern ahead of the England tests, he went on to reply with his bat smashing a century on day 02 of the Leeds test.
In his fresh remarks, Sunil 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.”
Sunil Gavaskar's 'Stupid, Stupid, Stupid' turned into 'Superb, Superb, Superb'.
– This is Rishabh Pant for you! 🥶pic.twitter.com/SgDYDPBG1c
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 21, 2025
“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.”
Sunil Gavaskar explained how Pant allows himself an initial preiod of restraint, adding, “Because he give himself that time early on, it becomes easier for him to play those aggressive strokes later.”
Rishabh Pant went on to notch up his seventh test century on day two of the Headingley Test and he got to the landmark in style, smashing Shoaib Bashir for a six over wide long-on.
Gavaskar was at commentary at the time of Pant getting to his ton and the former India captain uttered the words. ‘Superb, superb, superb’ as the wicketkeeper batter got to the landmark.
Batting first, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul opened the innings while Chris Woakes opned the bowling attack. Making a solid start, the opener duo posted 91 runs for the first wicket.
They went on to lose the wicket of Sai Sudharsan before the end of first session. However, Shubman Gill joined Jaiswal went on to play stellar knocks where the latter scored 101 runs before got dismissed by Stokes.
Shubman Gill also went on to score a century playing a captain knock in the game. After Jaiswal’s dismissal, Pant went on to join Gill to haunt England bowlers scoring 359 runs by the end of day 01.
Resuming the game on day 02, Gill and Rishabh Pant went on to bat where Gill lost his wicket for 147 runs. Pant went on to score 134 runs before being dismissed by Josh Tongue.
