On Rishabh Pant's birthday, Star Sports shared a video showcasing Australian cricketers' admiration for his on-field banter. The video featured an all-star cast of Australian players, including captain Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood.
Australian players pick Rishabh Pant as King of Sledging
The Australian superstars cricketers unanimously agreed that Pant is the most engaging player in terms of banter and sledging during matches.
The video began by highlighting Pant's reputation as the most engaging player in terms of sledging. The viral clip showcased amusing interactions between Pant and Australian players, demonstrating his ability to rattle opponents with his quick wit and fearless attitude. From clever one-liners to cheeky jibes, Pant's presence on the field is synonymous with spirited banter.
Rishabh Pant later shared his perspective on sledging, particularly during the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. He explained that while he enjoys engaging in banter, he prefers to maintain a level of politeness, responding to verbal exchanges initiated by the opposition.
Pant was particularly vocal during the 2018-19 Test series in Australia. He targeted players like Paine, Lyon, Cummins, Khawaja, and Smith, notably referring to Paine as the "temporary captain" following Smith's suspension.
“Then I said a few things. Temporary captain. Have you heard the word temporary captain? Ever? Among? Have you heard the word? Special appearance today, boy. Come on. No responsibility today from captain, boy. Running away always. Always running away, boy,” Pant told Paine.
“Koi sochke sledge nahin karta yaar. Mera hai ki mujhe koi bole mujhe pasand nahin hai. Toh main pyaar se karta hoon. Toh woh mereko bolne lag gaye. Woh log vahi bol rahe they, 'Big MS is there', khelne aaja T20, Hobart se ek badhiya apartment deta hoon, mere bacche ko babysit kariyo," Delhi Capitals captain further stated.
"Maine bhi phir ek do cheezein bol di. Nobody plans and does it. But I don't like it when someone does it, so I sledge politely. They were saying things like 'Big MS is here, 'Come and play T20 cricket in Hobart, you'll get a good apartment, babysit my kids'. I also said a few things.),” Pant added.
The star southpaw recently made headlines by scoring a record-breaking century in a home Test series. His contributions were instrumental in India's 2-0 victory over Bangladesh in the Test series. Pant will be back in action in the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand.
