WATCH: Australian cricketers pick Rishabh Pant as the best Indian player to sledge, Indian star responds

India are set to tour Australia in November for the five-match Test series in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Star Sports India put up a video where Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, and Usman Khawaja were asked to name an Indian star who is good at sledging. 

All of the stars immediately named Pant as India’s best player to sledge. Marnus Labuschagne in fact decided to reply in a very hilarious manner. Star Sports had put up the video on the day when Pant turned 27 years old. Indian star was sporting about it as he responded with “Thank you guys” in the comments section. 

"Main (sledging) pyaar se karta hu!" 🤭

Never change, @RishabhPant17 😂 Once again, wishing you a Pant-astic year ahead! 🥳

See him soon in the #ToughestRivalry! #AUSvINDOnStar, starts NOV 22! pic.twitter.com/TIbRLQoTH3

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 4, 2024

During an old interview on the same channel, Indian wicketkeeper had said “Nobody plans and do it. But I don't like it when someone does it, so I sledge politely. They were saying things like 'Big MS is here, 'Come and play T20 cricket in Hobart, you'll get a good apartment, babysit my kids'. I also said a few things,"

Rishabh Pant’s famous verbal battles with Australia revisited 

India’s tour of Australia in 2018 was the first time that Pant was touring Down Under. The then-21-year-old became an instant hit with the Australian commentary team as the stump mic used to be turned up. Even the then-Australian PM famously asked Pant about his sledging. 

During the MCG Test of 2018, Pant was seen getting under the skin of then-skipper Tim Paine. The infamous’ babysitter’ jibe had come from Paine in a bid to unsettle the youngster. Little did Paine know that he was in for a tough time when he came out to bat in the 2nd innings. 

As soon as the then Aussie skipper came out to bat, Pant turned to Mayank Agarwal and was heard saying “We have got a special guest here. Have you heard the word temporary captain ever? You don't need anything to get him out. Come on lads. He loves to talk, that's the only thing he can do. Only talking talking,". Temporary Captain was a clear jibe at Paine taking over his team after the Sand-Paper saga earlier that year. 

After winning the MCG Test, India drew the game in Sydney as Pant scored 159 not out. The left-hander continued his love affair with Australia as he smashed an unbeaten 89 to win the Gabba Test for India during the 2021 series.