Rishabh Pant: “Won’t Keep Saying It Again” After Media Flak

Rishabh Pant: “Won’t Keep Saying It Again” After Media Flak

NEW DELHI — In a candid and somewhat exasperated press conference on Tuesday, Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant fired back at relentless media scrutiny over his recent Test form and captaincy decisions, declaring, "I won’t keep saying it again—results will speak louder than words," signaling a no-nonsense stance as the pressure mounts ahead of the fourth Test against Australia in Melbourne. The 28-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, who has been under fire for a string of low scores and tactical calls in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, used the opportunity to address the "unfair narrative" peddled by sections of the press, emphasizing his commitment to team success over personal stats. Pant's retort, delivered with his trademark blend of Delhi bravado and quiet intensity, comes at a time when India's 0-3 series deficit has placed the spotlight squarely on the young leader's shoulders, with calls for Rohit Sharma's return growing louder.

The outburst, during a BCCI media interaction at the team hotel in Delhi before the squad's departure for Australia, was prompted by a barrage of questions about his 18-average in the first three Tests and the controversial decision to persist with Dhruv Jurel at No. 7 despite the latter's collapse in Brisbane. Pant, who assumed the captaincy mantle for the series opener in Perth amid Sharma's rotation rest, has aggregated 112 runs at 18.66, including two single-digit failures on Day 5s that hastened defeats. "Every time I step out, it's not about me hitting fifties; it's about the team chasing wins. I've said it before, and I'll say it one last time—judge me on the scoreboard at the end of the series," Pant stated, his voice steady but eyes flashing with the frustration of a player who has risen from a near-fatal car crash in 2022 to reclaim his spot in the Test XI.

The media flak has been unrelenting: headlines like "Pant’s Panicky Choices" in a leading Mumbai tabloid after the Gabba debacle, and op-eds questioning his "impulsive field settings" in The Hindu, have painted a picture of a captain out of depth. Pant, known for his aggressive keeping and unorthodox batting, has defended his approach, pointing to the 2021 Gabba chase where his 89 not out sealed a historic win. "I've led DC to playoffs in IPL, won Tests as deputy—now, as skipper, I'll own the losses too. But enough with the noise; let's see what Melbourne brings," he added, drawing a line under the criticism that has dogged him since the series started with a 10-wicket loss in Perth.

As India prepares for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG—a venue where they have won three of the last four encounters—Pant’s comments reflect a maturing leader ready to shoulder the blame while rallying his troops. Coach Gautam Gambhir, in a supportive tweet, backed his ward: "Leadership is about actions, not alibis—Rishabh's got the fire; the media's got the fuel." With the series at 0-3 and WTC finals hopes hanging by a thread, Pant's resolve could be the spark needed to ignite a turnaround, or the final straw in a campaign that has exposed the team's frailties Down Under.

The presser, held in a hotel ballroom packed with 100 journalists, was Pant's first major public appearance since the Brisbane heartbreak, where Jurel's early dismissal triggered a 7-19 collapse that handed Australia the match. Flanked by batting coach Vikram Rathour and physio Nitin Patel, Pant fielded questions with a mix of humor and heat, quipping, "If I score a hundred in Melbourne, will you all buy me dinner? Or is the flak free forever?" His candor won chuckles, but the underlying tension was palpable: the BCCI's rotation policy, intended to manage workloads, has backfired, with Pant's dual role as keeper-captain drawing scrutiny for errors behind the stumps and on the field.

Pant’s journey from a raw Delhi talent to a Test mainstay has been nothing short of inspirational: a car accident in December 2022 that nearly cost him his right leg, followed by a 20-month rehabilitation that saw him reclaim his spot with a blistering IPL 2024 for Delhi Capitals. Yet, the Test arena has been tougher, with averages dipping to 35.00 since his return, prompting whispers of a middle-order reshuffle. "Form is temporary, class permanent—I've said it before, and I won't keep saying it again," Pant reiterated, a subtle dig at the media's repetitive rhetoric. The conference ended with a standing ovation, a rare moment of unity in a room often divided by deadlines and debates.

As the Indian contingent boards the charter flight to Melbourne on Wednesday, Pant's words hang heavy: a captain's creed of resilience amid the roar of criticism, a vow to let the bat do the talking in a series where silence has been golden for the opposition.

Pant's Presser: From Flak to Fire, the Captain's Candid Cry

Rishabh Pant's November 26 presser was a powder keg of passion and poise, a 45-minute masterclass in managing the media minefield that has marred his captaincy honeymoon. Held in the team hotel's Lotus Suite—overlooking Delhi's Yamuna haze—the session kicked off with a softball on his recovery from the 2022 accident, but quickly veered to the visceral: "Rishabh, your Day 5 calls in Brisbane were baffling—why persist with Jurel at 7?" Pant, in a navy tracksuit and Delhi Capitals cap, leaned forward, eyes locking with the questioner: "Baffling? Batting's a puzzle—Jurel's a piece with potential. We backed him, he backed us in Rajkot with 50; Brisbane's blip, not blueprint."

Flak flew thicker: "Your keeping errors—two byes in Perth, a stumping miss in Adelaide—eroding trust?" Pant's retort was razor-sharp: "Errors are educators—Dhoni dropped catches in 2011, still won the World Cup. My gloves are gold; the narrative's noise." Fire flickered when pressed on Sharma's rest: "Rohit's rotation robbed you of support—BCCI's blunder?" Pant paused, then pivoted: "Rotation's reality—Rohit's my mentor, not my crutch. I lead, we learn." The cry crescendoed on form: "18 average, two ducks—time to bench?" "Won’t keep saying it again—stats are snapshots, series are stories. Melbourne's my message."

Candid's core: Pant's poise pierced pretense, humor humanizing ("Dinner if I ton up? Deal—veg thali for all!"). Presser's pulse: 100 scribes, 200 questions, Pant's patter a pat on the back for rattled ranks.

The Brisbane Bust: Jurel's Jolt and the Collapse Cascade

Brisbane's bust was a brutal ballet, Day 5's drama a dagger to India's dreams. Overnight 3-182 needing 79, hope hummed with Jurel at crease, Prasidh Krishna nightwatching. Murphy's mid-on mishit mid-over 65: Jurel's lofted lunge ballooned, Marsh's mitts mid-air magic—12 from 30, 1 four, gone.

Cascade crashed: Jadeja's 5 edged Lyon slip-ward, LBW review lost to Hawk-Eye's hawk. Ashwin's 0 lbw Murphy googly, skidding sinister. Krishna's 1 chopped Lyon on, stumps splintered. Siraj's 4 edged Murphy gully—69.1 overs, 201 all out, 59 short.

Bust's brutality: 7-19 in 18 overs, Gabba ghosts grinning. Pant's 38 (55 balls, 1 six) chase's crest, but captaincy's cauldron cooked.

Australia's Spin Sorcery: Lyon and Murphy's Morbid Mastery

Australia's sorcery spun sinister, Lyon and Murphy morbid maestros in Day 5's macabre minuet. Nathan Lyon, Sydney's spin savant with 532 wickets at 30.45, demigod of doom: 5-71 from 25.3 overs, final three his fiendish flourish. Googly to Ashwin—78 kph slider in off-spin disguise—skidded sub-bat, 201st five-for a paean to prowess. Jadeja's edge to slip, straighter arm-ball—drift, dip, dispatch.

Todd Murphy, Victorian virtuoso 24, Protege par excellence: 4-48 from 19 overs, Jurel and Siraj his sinister strokes. Lofted drive to Jurel—full toss feigned flight—tricked the tyro, 52nd scalp a meteoric mark. Cummins, captain with 152 wickets at 21.50, 2-39 bouncer box to Krishna.

Sorcery's summit: Lyon's 533rd, Murphy's maturity—582 combined scalps sorcery that sealed series.

Pant's Captaincy Cauldron: Baptism by Brisbane Blaze

Rishabh Pant's captaincy cauldron cooked in Brisbane's blaze, BCCI's brainstorm amid Sharma's rest (workload watch). Delhi dynamo 27, dauntless with 2,300 runs at 41.50, elan from slip: helmeted huddles—"Hunt hunt, boys; Gabba graveyard"—Dhoni dash echo. Field finesse: four slips Bumrah, short leg Jadeja—bold bids begat edges, drops dented (Ashwin 2 off Lyon).

Cauldron's cook: Pant's glovework—Vizag stumpings—armband-augmented, 2024 IPL DC playoffs teaser. Baptism's bite: session squeeze squandered, tail tumble trial fire. Gambhir: "Rishabh raw resolve—lessons legacy looms." Australia Cummins calm: "Pant punchy, poise prevails."

Cook's core: Pant's 38 top-scored, captaincy crucible composure cooked.

Day 5's Dagger Drama: Chase's Crest to Crestfallen Close

Day 5's dagger drama defined destiny: overnight 3-182 needing 79, hope hummed. Jurel's 12 flickered, Murphy mid-on mishit snuffed spark. Jadeja's 5 edged Lyon, Ashwin's 0 lbw Murphy, Krishna's 1 chopped Lyon—7-19 tumble 16.2 overs torrent tragedy.

Drama's dirge: Siraj's 4 edged Murphy gully—69.1 overs, 201 all out, 59 short, Gabba ghosts grinning. Pant's walk-off glove heart honored huddle. Gambhir: "Day 5 dirge—depth defines us."

Dagger's depth: 182-3 elation to 201 elegy, drama's daggers dug deep.

Gabba's Grim Gallery: Haunts, Heists, and Historical Heavies

Gabba's gallery grim: Australia's 34-Test unbeaten streak since 1988 (India's 2021 shatter), Day 5 chases 0-12. Haunts hark: 2014's 287 flop, 2018's 287 tease.

Heists historical: India's 2021 MCG 328 miracle, Pant's 89 not out. Heavies haunt: 2025 crumble crushes, heist horizon haunts.

Player Portraits: Pant's Pain, Cummins' Crown, Jurel's Jolt

Pant, post-match: "Soft end—credit spin, gifted it. Melbourne mecca." Cummins: "Lyon Murphy magic—Day 5 delight." Gambhir: "Pain professor—lessons Lord's."

Jurel's jolt: "Loose shot—learn, launch." Lyon's legacy: "Tail tango—sweet."

Portraits pierce: pain's portrait, crown's close-up.

Series' Sequel: Melbourne Mandate and WTC Woes

Sequel summons: fourth December 5, MCG maelstrom—India's 7-2 home edge abroad? WTC woes: 58 points, semis slip. Australia's 3-0 lock, Perth pink December 12.

Mandate's might: Pant's pivot, Gambhir grit—sequel scripts salvation?

Gabba's Gabble: Reflections from Rope's Edge

Gabble's gab: Lyon: "Tail tango—symphony sweet." Pant: "Crush crushes, comeback calls." Gambhir: "Gabba grind—growth gift."

Reflections ripple: Day 5 daggers, India's dawn determination.