With India desperately looking for a big partnership in the fourth Test against Australia at the MCG, Pant attempted to scoop Scott Boland to fine leg, only to get a leading edge for Nathan Lyon to complete a simple catch at deep third man.
Pant had tried to play a similar shot in the previous ball too but failed to connect and was hit in the naval area. The batter seemed to be in pain as he lay on the ground.
“Stupid, stupid, stupid. You have got two fielders there and you still go for that (shot). You missed the previous shot and look where you have been caught. You have been caught at deep third man. That is throwing your wicket,” Gavaskar said while commentating.
“He should not be going in the dressing room. He should be going in the other dressing room.”
Former India coach Ravi Shastri termed it a “very risky shot” given the situation.
Gavaskar was also full of praise for young Reddy, who scored maiden Test century under difficult circumstances.
Walking in at the fall of the team’s sixth wicket with just 191 on the board, the 21-year-old Reddy made an unbeaten 105 off 176 balls, and was involved in a record partnership of 127 for the eighth wicket with Washington Sundar (50 off 162 balls).
“This century by Nitish Kumar Reddy must rank as one of the greatest hundreds in the history of Indian cricket,” he said.
