Rishabh Pant has stirred the hornet’s nest after he used a swear word while speaking with broadcaster Ian Bishop after match No. 64 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Pant was visibly upset with the outcome of the game as Rajasthan outclassed LSG by seven wickets. LSG set a competitive target of 221 to win for Rajasthan, but their hapless bowling and poor fielding failed to defend it.
Consequently, Rajasthan scaled the target with five balls to spare. While speaking with Bishop at the post-match presentation, Pant lost his cool and used a swear word.
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“We are proud as a team regardless of how our situation is right now. You know, the kind of team we have, we know we can win this. Regardless of anything, we are confident enough as a team and as individuals. It hasn’t gone our way, and everyone knows that, but that doesn’t take away the fact that we are a f**cking good team,” said Pant.
Bishop, as a responsible broadcaster, handled the situation gracefully and didn’t let it get out of hand.
“Rishabh, thank you very much. Apologies for that. Thank you very much for your time,” said Bishop.
Is Rishabh Pant going to be fined for using a swear word at the post-match presentation?
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a family-friendly entertainment event and has put in place a stringent set of rules. It has a zero tolerance policy toward profanity. Therefore, in all likelihood, Rishabh Pant is bound to be fined for such poor conduct.
He is likely to be sanctioned for breaching Article 2.3 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct 2.3 which relates to “use of an audible obscenity during a match.”
“Article 2.3 covers the use of words commonly known and understood to be offensive, obscene and/or profane (in any language) and which can be heard by the spectators and/or the viewing public, whether by way of the stump-microphone or otherwise. This conduct may include, for example, swearing in frustration at one’s own play or fortune,” reads the article.
The match referee for the RR vs LSG match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium was Iqbal Siddiqui. He is likely to sanction Pant for his offence.
