Rishabh Pant slammed for post-match 'F' word comment, Gavaskar defends him

Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant drew widespread criticism after his post-match comment that included the 'F' word. Pant, after LSG's defeat to Rajasthan Royals on May 19 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, was called for the post-match interview and said: "We're a f***** good team," on live television. For this comment, Pant was slammed and criticised from all corners. However, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar backed Pant and said broadcasters should have given the captain some breathing space rather than calling him directly just after the match. "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 in Mid-day. Both LSG and Pant didn't have a good outing in Indian Premier League 2026. LSG signed off IPL 2026 at the bottom of the points table. They managed just four wins in 14 matches and suffered 10 defeats. Pant too struggled with the bat, scoring just 312 runs in 14 matches. "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. "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.