Rishabh Pant’s emotional post-match interview after Lucknow Super Giants’ defeat to Rajasthan Royals on May 20 in the IPL 2026 created a major talking point but former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has now come out in support of the wicketkeeper-batter.
Rishabh Pant accidentally used the F-word during a live television interview shortly after LSG’s loss, which sparked criticism and debate among fans on social media. However, Sunil Gavaskar believes the incident happened because the losing captain was asked to speak almost immediately after an emotionally draining match.
Lucknow Super Giants finished the IPL 2026 at the bottom of the table in 10th place. The season was especially difficult for Rishabh Pant who entered the tournament under immense pressure after being signed for a record IPL fee. It was also the second straight season in which LSG failed to qualify for the playoffs, while Pant himself struggled with poor batting form throughout the campaign.
Although LSG had already been eliminated before the Rajasthan Royals game, Rishabh Pant still continued handling post-match media duties regularly and reportedly gave more interviews than most captains in the league.
Writing in his newspaper column, Sunil Gavaskar questioned whether broadcasters should immediately interview captains after painful defeats, especially in emotionally intense situations. He pointed out that captains often carry the stress of the entire match and in Rishabh Pant’s case, the physical demands of wicketkeeping in extreme heat may have added to his frustration and exhaustion.
Sunil Gavaskar suggested that losing captains should be given more time to calm down and collect their thoughts before facing cameras and microphones. According to him, speaking first to the Player of the Match might be a better option instead of approaching disappointed captains moments after defeat.
The batting legend also described Rishabh Pant as one of the most cheerful and expressive personalities in cricket, saying the incident reflected how emotionally overwhelming the situation had become. Gavaskar stressed that players should be allowed a short recovery period after matches rather than being expected to instantly address the media while still processing the result.
We certainly agree with Sunil Gavaskar, what about you?
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