Sunil Gavaskar Defends Rishabh Pant After F-Word Slip in IPL 2026 Interview
Sunil Gavaskar Defends Rishabh Pant After F-Word Slip in IPL 2026 Interview
Rishabh Pant is under fire for an F-word slip on live TV, but Sunil Gavaskar says it is time to give losing captains more breathing space. Read the full story here!
Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant found himself in hot water after a post-match interview took a controversial turn on live television. Following LSG’s defeat against the Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Pant let an 'F' word slip while expressing his confidence in the team's quality. The remark sparked immediate backlash across social media, with many criticizing the captain for his lack of professional composure during the live broadcast.
However, legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has stepped up to defend Pant, pointing the finger at the rigid broadcasting schedule instead. Gavaskar suggested that captains who have just lost a high-stakes game should be given some breathing space before being thrust in front of a camera. He argued that the physical exhaustion of wicketkeeping in intense heat, combined with the emotional sting of a loss, can easily lead to such outbursts.
The 2026 season was a tough one for the Lucknow Super Giants, who finished at the bottom of the table with only four wins in fourteen matches. Pant’s individual performance also suffered, as he managed just 312 runs throughout the tournament. Gavaskar argued that giving losing captains a few extra minutes to 'splash some water on their face' and regain their composure would ensure that such slips of the tongue don't happen in the future.
Amid the controversy, an emotional video of Pant thanking his fans has gone viral, fueling rumors about a potential change in leadership for the franchise. While Pant is known for his cheerful personality, the combination of team struggles and this latest incident has placed his captaincy under intense scrutiny as the team looks toward the next season.
