India’s stand-in captain and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant was at his best on the second day of the second and final Test between India and South Africa in Guwahati. Rishabh Pant lost his cool on Kuldeep Yadav after India received repeated warnings for slow over-rate.
Pant’s frustration came to the fore when wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav started his over too late. With the umpire having already issued the second warning, India were just one step away from a five-run penalty.
Rishabh Pant lost his cool as India headed towards costly penalties in the Guwahati Test.
This would have given South Africa the opportunity to score runs freely in the crucial phase and Pant could not tolerate a careless attitude in the fielding unit. Unable to control himself, India’s stand-in captain shouted at Kuldeep to start the next ball immediately.
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His anger increased further when he saw that some teammates were leisurely moving to their places instead of reacting immediately. Stump Mic also caught him expressing his frustration, clearly showing how fed up he was with the unnecessary delay on the second day in Guwahati.
Rishabh Pant was heard saying on the stump mic, “Yaar, 30 seconds ka timer hai. Ghar pe khel rahe ho kya? Ek ballad daal jaldi. (The timer is on. Are you playing at your home? Just throw the ball quickly).”
You people have made test cricket a joke: Rishabh Pant
By the time the second warning was announced, Rishabh Pant was looking angry. He reminded his team that another offense would cost them five crucial runs and India would look careless in the high-pressure final Test match.
The body language of the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman made it clear that he expects more awareness and commitment from each player.
Pant further shouted, “Yaar Kuldeep, both bar warning le li (Kuldeep, we have got the second warning). Poora ek over thodi na chahiye. Mazaak bana rakha hai Test cricket ko (Do you guys need the entire over (to move)? You guys have made Test cricket a joke).”
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On Kuldeep for wasting time between overs!
When was the last time we saw Angry Pants? #INDvsSA #RishabhPant #KuldeepYadav : JioStar pic.twitter.com/qDQRIDtOUh
– OneCricket (@OneCricketApp) 23 November 2025
The reason behind this disappointment is the new stop-clock rule introduced by ICC in 2025. Under this rule, the fielding team must start the next over within 60 seconds of the end of the previous over.
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Two warnings are allowed, but the third delay immediately gifts five runs to the batting team. This rule applies to all games under the current World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant entertained the commentators with his stump mic game in Guwahati. The second day he was astounded by the left-hander’s quick, playful conversation on the field. He also hinted that interactions between players could be much more colorful during breaks.
According to former Indian head coach Anil Kumble, his reactions, jokes and constant interactions behind the stumps make him one of the most entertaining wicketkeepers in the game. Former Indian cricketers Cheteshwar Pujara, Aakash Chopra and Kumble shared their views on Pant’s stump mic chatter while commentating on Star Sports.
Cheteshwar Pujara: We will have to hear what will be discussed during the break. Because this conversation through the stump mic is a little different from the conversation that happens in the dressing room. Where there is no mic, we have to take feedback on what language is used and how the discussion is done.
Aakash Chopra: Discussions in the dressing room can be colourful.
Anil Kumble: He is doing all the entertaining captaincy there. Of all the wicketkeepers the game has ever seen, he is the most entertaining behind the stumps.
captain #RishabhPant Another stump from Mike Gemstone keeps the commentators happy!#INDvSA Second Test, Day 2 live now https://t.co/J8u4bmcZud pic.twitter.com/bpSvl357uG
– Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) 23 November 2025
