Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar criticised Indian wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant for his “stupid” shot during India’s fourth Test against Australia at the MCG.

Gavaskar expressed that the wicketkeeper-batter let the team down by carelessly giving away his wicket at a crucial moment.

As India sought a vital partnership on the third day of the match, Pant attempted to scoop a delivery from Scott Boland to fine leg. Instead, he ended up with a leading edge that was easily caught by Nathan Lyon at deep third man.

Earlier in the same over, Pant had attempted a similar shot but failed to make contact, resulting in a painful hit to his abdominal area, leaving him on the ground in discomfort.

Gavaskar, visibly frustrated during commentary, stated, “Stupid, stupid, stupid. You have got two fielders there and you still go for that shot. You missed the previous attempt, and look where you have been caught. That is throwing your wicket away.”

He said that the batter should have understood the situation where India was standing in the match. “You cannot say that that’s your natural game. I’m sorry, that is not your natural game. That is a stupid shot. That is letting your team down badly,” the batting great said.

“He should not be going in the dressing room. He should be going in the other dressing room.”