Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has defended Rishabh Pant after the Lucknow Super Giants captain came under fire for using an expletive during a live post-match interview in IPL 2026.
Pant’s comments came moments after Lucknow Super Giants’ defeat to Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, a result that capped off a disappointing campaign for both the franchise and its skipper. LSG finished bottom of the IPL 2026 table after managing just four wins in 14 matches, while Pant struggled for consistency with the bat, scoring 312 runs across the season.
The incident quickly sparked criticism across social media and television panels after Pant said, “We’re a f***** good team,” during the post-match broadcast interview. But Gavaskar believes the reaction ignored the emotional and physical demands placed on captains immediately after high-pressure games.
Gavaskar says broadcasters should rethink post-match interviews
Writing in his column for Mid-Day, Gavaskar suggested broadcasters should reconsider the practice of interviewing losing captains within minutes of the final ball, especially in emotionally charged contests.
“Rishabh Pant dropping the ‘F’ word in his post-game interview does make one wonder whether it is necessary to interview the captain whose team has just lost the game barely minutes earlier. If it’s been a last-over finish, then the disappointment for the captain would be even greater and if he is also the wicketkeeper who has been running up and down to the stumps every other delivery and that too in this heat, then it can add to his frustration,” Gavaskar wrote.
The former India captain argued that the current broadcast format leaves little room for players to regain composure before facing cameras and microphones, particularly after draining defeats.
‘Give him time to splash some water on his face’
Gavaskar proposed a simple alternative that he believes could prevent similar incidents in the future — prioritising interviews with winning players before bringing in the losing captain.
“It might be a better idea to speak to the ‘player of the match’ from the winning team and give the captain of the losing team a little time to splash some water on his face and regain his composure and then come over for an interview. As it is, there will be a bit of time for the presentation party to be ready, so giving the captain of the team that has lost, a few more minutes could well ensure that such things won’t happen,” he added.
The comments have reignited debate around how broadcasters balance entertainment, live access and player welfare during the IPL’s tightly packed television production schedules.
Pant’s difficult IPL 2026 season adds context
Pant entered IPL 2026 under enormous scrutiny after being signed for a record fee and leading a Lucknow side that failed to reach the playoffs for a second straight season. Despite remaining one of the league’s most high-profile stars, the wicketkeeper-batter endured one of the toughest campaigns of his IPL career.
Gavaskar pointed to Pant’s personality and reputation within the game, insisting the outburst was out of character for one of cricket’s most naturally expressive and upbeat players.
“Rishabh Pant is one of the most cheerful guys in the game who loves playing the sport in his own unique way. And the fact that even he lost it does make the case for the losing team’s captain to be given a few more minutes to recover his thoughts rather than have the mic shoved in his face even before he has had time to get his breath back. Is that too much to ask?” he wrote.
