Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has defended Rishabh Pant following his on-air expletive during a post-match interview, arguing that broadcasters should reconsider their approach to immediately interviewing losing captains after high-pressure matches. Gavaskar suggested that players should be given a short cooling-off period before being put in front of live cameras, especially after emotionally charged defeats.

The incident in question occurred after Lucknow Super Giants were knocked out of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), when Pant, visibly frustrated, used an expletive during a live television interaction. The moment quickly circulated on social media, prompting widespread discussion about player emotions and broadcast protocols. While commentator Ian Bishop issued an immediate apology on-air, the clip continued to draw attention across cricketing circles.

Writing in Mid-Day, Gavaskar questioned the necessity of interviewing captains immediately after a loss, particularly when matches finish in tense, last-over situations. He noted that the emotional and physical exhaustion of wicketkeeper-captains like Pant, who are constantly involved in play throughout the match, can heighten frustration at the end of a defeat. According to him, this combination makes spontaneous post-match interviews potentially problematic.

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Gavaskar proposed an alternative structure in which broadcasters first speak to the “Player of the Match” from the winning side, while allowing the losing captain a few additional minutes to recover and compose themselves. He argued that such a small delay could help avoid emotionally driven remarks and ensure more measured post-match reflections.

He also pointed out that in international cricket, captains typically speak after a brief interval during the presentation ceremony, rather than immediately after the final ball. Gavaskar emphasised that a similar buffer in franchise cricket like the IPL could help manage emotions more effectively without reducing viewer engagement.

Pant, often known for his cheerful and expressive personality, has generally maintained a more intense demeanour in the IPL, particularly in recent seasons. Gavaskar’s remarks have added to the broader debate on player welfare, media pressure, and the evolving demands of live sports broadcasting in high-stakes tournaments.

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