Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, on Tuesday, recreated the viral ‘Stupid, stupid, stupid’ moment on live television ahead of the start of the IPL 2025 game between Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Sunil Gavaskar‘s statement came in response to a query on Lucknow’s batting approach in the ongoing IPL season.
All is well between Indian superstar Rishabh Pant and legendary Sunil Gavaskar as they appear together in a new advertisement for GoIbibo. Rishabh Pant recreates Sunil Gavaskar’s iconic “Stupid, Stupid, Stupid” rant in the new video as they pull each other’s leg.
Rishabh Pant To Lead LSG In IPL 2025 plagued with injuries
After being bought by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a record sum of ₹27 crores in the IPL auction 2025, becoming the most expensive player in history, Rishabh Pant, the star Indian wicketkeeper batter, will skipper the side for the upcoming edition. Rishabh Pant will lead the LSG side against his former team Delhi Capitals on March 24th in Visakhapatnam, which is slated to be the fourth game of this season.
After getting heavily criticized by Sunil Gavaskar during India’s tour of Australia in 2024-2025, where Rishabh Pant played a fancy shot only to be caught at the boundary line, caused much uproar, as Gavaskar, in his rant during his commentary stint with ABC Radio, went on to speak against Pant for his reckless shot, which cost India the game.
He called Rishabh Pant “stupid” three consecutive times while mentioning that he should be going to the other dressing room. The internet was divided as Gavaskar’s passionate rant was trending all over social media.
What is the ‘stupid, stupid, stupid’ moment by Sunil Gavaskar
During the Border-Gavaskar series earlier this year, Pant had miscued a shot and was caught at third man. A fuming Gavaskar’s immediate reaction in the commentary box was those exact words – “Stupid, stupid, stupid!”
He added:
“You’ve got two fielders there, and you still go for that. You missed the previous shot, and look where you’ve been caught. That is throwing away your wicket. You cannot say that is your natural game. I’m sorry. That is not your natural game. This is a stupid shot. This is letting your team down badly. You have to understand the situation as well.”
Rishabh Pant later recreated the moment earlier this month on Instagram when appearing for a brand advertisement.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar brought back the viral “Stupid, stupid, stupid” moment on live television on Tuesday, just before the IPL 2025 showdown between Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. His remark came in response to a question regarding Lucknow’s batting strategy in the ongoing season.
Sunil Gavaskar’s hilarious take on Rishabh Pant ahead of LSG vs PBKS IPL 2025 match
Former India batter Sunil Gavaskar has said that Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant may have used the former’s “stupid, stupid, stupid!” expression on him, had he questioned LSG’s tactic of looking to score big and give cushion to their bowlers.
The 75-year-old felt that the presence of batters like Nicolas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh made them an exciting team to watch.
“I wish you had asked me this question a little while earlier because I spent a little time with Rishabh Pant, and I would have certainly asked him if that was the reason why you guys are playing like that. Maybe he would have responded, stupid, stupid, stupid question.
“I think when you look at Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh, they’re naturally aggressive players. I think that’s the way they play and that’s so exciting to watch. And then there’s Rishabh Pant also coming down the order.
Lucknow have been plagued with injuries. As many as three fast bowlers were at the NCA in Bengaluru right before the start of the season, before Mohsin Khan was ruled out. And although Avesh Khan returned to action after recovering from his injury, there remains uncertainty over Mayank Yadav’s availability. Hence, before the start of their first home game of the season, against Punjab Kings, the presenter asked Sunil Gavaskar on Star Sports if it was the reason behind Lucknow’s aggressive-style batting in the ongoing season.
So they really have the batting, and they obviously know that. Look, if they don’t have your sharp-edge bowlers, then you certainly need to put more runs on the board to give your other bowlers that much of a cushion in case they don’t have a good day,” Sunil Gavaskar said on JioHotstar, ahead of LSG’s match against PBKS.
During the second Test of the 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy in December 2024, Rishabh Pant was dismissed playing an unorthodox shot, with India trying to get themselves out of a difficult position in the Test match. Commentating on the game, Gavaskar was left fuming at the manner of his dismissal and exclaimed the words “stupid” three times to express his displeasure.
“Stupid, Stupid, STUPID! You’ve got two fielders there, and you still go for that. You missed the previous shot, and look where you’ve been caught. That is throwing away your wicket. You cannot say that is your natural game. I’m sorry,” Sunil Gavaskar had said.
A few days before the start of IPL 2025, Pant had recreated Gavaskar’s famous commentary moment in an ad. At the time of writing, PBKS had raced to 100 for 1 in nine overs, in pursuit of 172 for victory. Pant was dismissed for two runs off five balls. Nicolas Pooran top scored for LSG with a 30-ball 44. Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the PBKS bowlers, taking three for 43 in his four overs.