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From "Stupid" To "Superb" Gavaskar Takes U-Turn As He Becomes Rishabh Pant's Admirer

Anurag Dasgupta

Gavaskar lauds Pant [Source: AP Photo] Gavaskar lauds Pant [Source: AP Photo]

Rishabh Pant had a horrendous IPL 2025 season where the batter failed to deliver the goods for his franchise. However, when it came to red-ball cricket in England, Pant brought his old style back as the batter tormented the English bowlers with his majestic batting and slammed his 7th Test century.

How Gavaskar turned from critics to admirer

He left his IPL demons behind and also surpassed his idol, MS Dhoni in terms of most hundreds by an Indian wicket-keeper in Test cricket. The batter played an aggressive knock and took England out of the game with ease. Meanwhile, when he reached the century landmark, Pant's biggest critic, Sunil Gavaskar took a U-turn and became his biggest admirer.

Last year when Pant played a reckless shot against Australia in the Test match, Gavaskar lambasted him and called him "stupid" for throwing away his wicket. But on Saturday, he changed his verdict and labelled Pant as "superb" after he took down England.

"Superb, superb, superb. Absolutely terrific batting by the young man," Gavaskar said on air.

He toyed with the English bowlers and took India to a strong position in the first Test match at Headingley. By the time Pant was dismissed, the southpaw had racked up 134 off 178 balls.

Pant surpassed MSD in stellar feat

Pant was at his imperial best and with his 7th Test ton and 3rd in England, the batter surpassed the great MS Dhoni to become the Indian keeper with most Test tons. Dhoni had 6 to his name and Pant now has 7.

Notably, Pant also overtook MS Dhoni and Kumar Sangakkara in an elite Test batting list. He now has the most runs in SENA countries amongst Asian wicket-keepers, a record he could be proud of.