India batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has come out in support of Rishabh Pant after the Lucknow Super Giants captain used the F-word during a live post-match interview following LSG’s defeat to Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026. The incident occurred after Lucknow’s disappointing loss on May 20, a result that capped off a miserable campaign for Lucknow Super Giants. LSG finished at the bottom of the points table in 10th place, with Pant enduring a particularly difficult season both as captain and batter.

Signed for a record IPL fee, the wicketkeeper-batter faced enormous expectations but struggled to deliver consistently, while the franchise failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

Speaking in his column for Mid-Day, Gavaskar suggested that Pant’s emotional outburst was understandable considering the pressure and timing of the interview. According to the former India captain, broadcasters should avoid interviewing losing captains immediately after emotionally draining defeats.

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“Rishabh Pant dropping the ‘F’ word in his post-game interview does make one wonder whether it is necessary to interview the captain whose team has just lost the game barely minutes earlier,” Sunil Gavaskar wrote.

He also pointed out the additional physical and mental exhaustion faced by wicketkeeper-captains during high-pressure matches, especially in difficult playing conditions.

“If it’s been a last-over finish, then the disappointment for the captain would be even greater and if he is also the wicketkeeper who has been running up and down to the stumps every other delivery and that too in this heat, then it can add to his frustration,” Sunil Gavaskar added.

The cricket legend believes captains from the losing side should be given more time to calm down before facing cameras and microphones. He suggested that broadcasters could instead interview the Player of the Match first while the defeated captain regains composure.

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Sunil Gavaskar also highlighted Pant’s generally cheerful personality, saying it was unusual to see him lose control emotionally. He argued that the incident should spark a broader conversation about player welfare and the increasing pressure placed on cricketers during live broadcasts in modern-day T20 cricket.