Rishabh Pant Insults MS Dhoni: In a move that has sparked outrage among the cricket community, Rishabh Pant, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman and captain of the Delhi Capitals (DC), has found himself in hot water after liking a derogatory reel directed at the legendary former Indian captain, MS Dhoni. The reel, which surfaced on social media, contained a clip from the recent IPL 2024 match between DC and Gujarat Titans (GT), where Pant could be seen displaying impressive reflexes behind the stumps.
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Rishabh Pant Insults MS Dhoni
The clip showcased Pant’s sharp wicketkeeping skills as he dismissed GT’s Shahrukh Khan with a remarkable catch. However, the issue arose from the caption accompanying the clip, which read: “Faster ko bhi aage rahkar hi keeping karunga (Kyu ki mai Rishabh Pant hu MS Dhoni nahi),” roughly translating to “I will stand up to the stumps against the pacers as well because I am Rishabh Pant, not MS Dhoni.” This provocative caption, seemingly undermining Dhoni’s wicketkeeping prowess, has ignited a firestorm of criticism from fans and pundits alike.
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Unintentional Oversight or Deliberate Jab?
While Pant’s decision to like the derogatory reel has raised eyebrows, some speculate that the DC skipper might have inadvertently overlooked the controversial caption, as the focus was primarily on the wicketkeeping aspect. However, this explanation has done little to quell the mounting backlash from MS Dhoni’s ardent supporters, who view the incident as a direct insult to their beloved icon.
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Suspension and Hefty Fine for Slow Over-Rate Offense
Adding to Pant’s woes, he has been handed a one-match suspension and a substantial fine of INR 30 Lakh (approximately USD 37,000) for his team’s failure to maintain the required over-rate during their recent clash against the Rajasthan Royals. This offense marks the third time DC has committed a slow over-rate violation this season, resulting in severe consequences.
DC was 10 minutes behind schedule at the start of the final over against RR. In addition to Pant’s suspension and fine, the other DC players have been fined INR 12 Lakh (approximately USD 15,000) or 50% of their match fees, whichever is lesser.
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Rishabh Pant’s Absence Against RCB
Consequently, Pant will miss DC’s high-stakes encounter against the formidable Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Sunday, May 12th, due to his suspension. This absence could prove costly for DC, as they seek to maintain their position in the IPL 2024 standings.
As the controversy continues to unfold, all eyes will be on Pant’s response and the potential fallout from this incident. Will he issue an apology or provide a clarification? Only time will tell how this saga will unfold, but one thing is certain: the cricketing world is watching with bated breath.
