Guwahati, November 24, 2025. What led to a fierce debate in cricketing circles recently, the reckless manner in which India’s stand-in skipper Rishabh Pant got out on Day 3 of the second Test against South Africa, has come under fire from two all time greats – former India spinner Anil Kumble and pace legend Dale Steyn of South Africa. Pant wasted no time though, charging down the track to take up his favourite spot but presenting a feather of an edge off Marco Jansen to Kyle Verreynne; India 122/7 in pursuit of 489 on a wobbling pitch.
Kumble referred it to as an “unresponsible brain-fade shot” while Steyn tweeted, “Had faced just 10 deliveries and you do this, brainfade shot wont do @iShaheenAfridi.” As India – in the backdrop of Pant hitting the ball – crumbled for a paltry 201 all out (chasing a total of 489, 288 behind), this prompted healthy debate about Pant’s shot selection, captaining under pressure, and if that aggressive batting mindset is a blessing or a bane in Test cricket. Amidst the lukewarm hope from Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav’s resilient 72-run partnership, is this the wake-up call that Pant required? For a judgement of the dismissal, the backlash and what it means for India’s hopes in the series, let’s unpack.
Rishabh Pant brain fade shot: The dismissed that created furor —What happened exactly?
The Perfect Storm: Pant’s Charge and Jansen’s Trap
It happened in the 47th over after tea on day three of the match at the Barsapara Stadium. India had just gathered themselves with Yashasvi Jaiswal battling to 58 to reach 95 for two, three wickets then went down in a tumbling procession. Marco Jansen found Sai Sudharsan (15), Dhruv Jurel (0), and Ravindra Jadeja (6) in his probing lines, very cheaply. Enter Pant – the crisis man of the team - at 122/7. Pant, who is known for his extravagant stroke play, had faced only 10 balls when he went after a full delivery from Jansen.
Attempting to hoick one over mid-on, Pant danced down the track in a classic brain fade moment. Yet the 6’8″ behemoth Jansen slow-played took his length down a notch. The ball came in awkwardly and got a slight edge off Pant’s bat. Wicketkeeper Verreynne took the catch with glee and umpire Nitin Menon raised the finger. Full review of Pant but UltraEdge detected the snick – 7 out. This gave South Africa a 288-run advantage as India were bowled out for 201 Sundar (48) and Kuldeep (19) hit 72 runs in an unbroken 9th wicket stand but the game was lost.
This left even the commentators in shock Former opener Aakash Chopra tweeted, “The fact that Pant’s aggression is his trump card, but there is a time for everything.” That was a brain fade shot when anchors were needed for India. The dismissal not only spotlighted Pant’s. problem against short balls but resurrected a familiar narrative: his high-risk nature while chasing low scores.
Rishabh Pant – the hit-or-miss cardslinger.
The pitch factor: another surface in Guwahati that plays spoilsport
While Kolkata’s track had help for seamers, a much greener pitch in Guwahati on Wednesday day was much more true to its character early on, but turned variable and slow after tea, aiding seamers like Jansen (6/48). It merely misread the length, an error of judgement typical of Pant’s hoicks against England in 2018. As Jansen would later say: “I saw him coming around the wicket and just bowled short — execution is key.” The fall of Pant set in motion India’s debacle from 95/2 to 122/7 in 39 balls, which was a reflection of poor application.
X Fans also reacted: “Rishabh Pant brain fade at its peak – Captaincy needs calm, not chaos” (@CricketFanaticIN). It flashed back to Pant’s Lord’s brain fade run out of 2021, where uncertainty had broken a partnership.
‘What NO’, scathing assessment of Anil Kumble: You got to be kidding me, brain fade at its best
Kumble’s Comments: Not Taking onus in Crisis
On Star Sports, Anil Kumble, India’s 619-Test wicket maestro, did not mince words. “It’s not so easy to pull that out after hitting 10 balls in a row. The pitch at Guwahati is not like the one in Kolkata, it is a better surface to bat on for longer. Pant should have absorbed the pressure, he is the captain, be an example to follow — making the first run take its time. It is Test cricket; but Kumble fumed ” b/we’re talking about Test cricket. Likewise, respect your own opposition spells — we saw Temba Bavuma be resilient, no angst in his chin, just hang on in there.” India didn’t show application – hence, they got battered.
His rant reminded us of the Headingley heroics of Kumble himself in 1999 where patience beat flare. Sure, Pant has the ability, but the situations need intelligence. Such brain fade loses games,” he added. Pant had seen a different side of the former coach when he was with the team during 2017-18 where strict discipline was the name of the game and so the words hurt.
Clips of Kumble’s analysis went viral, racking up 2.5 million views. Another user took to social media saying, “Pant should need to grow, legend speaking”.
Anil Kumble – the voice of Test cricket.
Adventures of mace-dropping: Pant’s skirted past misses from Lord’s run-out to IPL row
Pant’s brain fade isn’t new. In the 2021 Lord’s Test, hesitative call with KL Rahul lead to run-out costing a partnership. Memes followed his “Rs 27 crore pahalwan” tag in IPL 2025 after he spent a lean spell with LSG, including a dugout meltdown against RCB. Sunil Gavaskar called it “brain fade” in 2024 Border-Gavaskar, blasted his “stupid” hoick.
The trend spots these incidents: Pant is an aggressor in a chase (2018 Brisbane 89*) but when it comes pressed, collapses. Kumble’s slam? An appeal for maturity as vice captain
Dale Steyn’s No-Nonsense Assessment: ’Brain Fade Shot – You Don’t Win a Test in an Over’
The X Rant – Steyn: This Will Not End Well For Commentators
However, Dale Steyn of South Africa, who was commentating the match, didn’t pull his punches. He tweeted on X “That’s just a brainfade shot” — a post that racked up 150K likes in hours. Steyn explained on air: “You don’t win a Test in one over. It was all a bit too much like T20 for Pant — edge and gone. India needed stability, not fireworks.”
Steyn, who knows a thing or two about the Pant matchup having handed him match figures of 7/51 in 2018, weighed in. Jansen was astute in his bowling — back of a length. He [Wade] added to Pant misread it completely. His words reinforced the chorus that Kumble had already sung: Brain fade at 122/7? Unforgivable.
Memes comparing Steyn’s critique of Pant’s brain fade to Travis Head’s Bazball risks trended #PantBrainFade. Another fan said: ”Steyn just saying it like it is – harsh but true.”
Dale Steyn – an unfiltered take from the Proteas legend.
Sitting on the fence: Fans, experts debate on dilemma over Pant as captain
Social media exploded. Brain fade from Rishabh Pant – captaincy 101 fail | @RishabhPant17 #INDvsPAK — Tweeted by @CricketDebate Others added their two bit, as experts like Saba Karim termed it as “inexplicable” and advised Pant take leaf out of Joe Root’s book of patience. Gavaskar resorted to his 2024 “stupid” rant, saying: “Can’t wrap my mind around it – first time Pant might not be able to explain.
Divided fans: Few defended the spirit of Bazball in the match as shown by Pant (“Aggression wins series!”) Others hammered (“Brain fade costs tests”). Gautam Gambhir under fire for Pant praise, trolled with: ‘Tried to be Travis Head, ended as Travis Tail’
This is a fresh first-class revival of a decade-old debate related to Pant’s woes in IPL 2025 – all this Rs. 27 crore label, public confrontations in the dugout & aura of a pretended injury against RCB. His 2025 form as LSG captain stunned (avg 25), Test brain fade stokes Dhruv Jurel’s promotion demands
Rishabh Pant Brain Fade: The Shot – Technique, mentality and what to learn
Breaking Down the Dismissal: Length, Intent, and Pitch Action
Jansen’s delivery was back-of-length, seaming up from a Guwahati pitch. The trigger movement of Pant—coming forward to break momentum—was on the wrong side of the shortened length. He was angled across in an attempt at a hoick to cow corner which lacked control of shape and he edged. Perfect trap for aggressive batsmen—Hawk-Eye showed it pitching on leg and anging across.
Mindset? But it was risk, not reward as Pant at 122/7 chasing 288 here, defines him-making his 89* in 2018 Gabba chase. Same sentiment from Michael Vaughan on Twitter: “Brain fade : aggression fine but read the game.”
Test Cricket – the crux of will and wisdom.
IND vs AUS: Pant’s Record: Brain freeze OR match-winning instinct?
Pant’s hit-or-miss career: Border-Gavaskar can unlikely forget that 89* in a heroic Gabba 2021 chase, but lost runs via shocking 2023 IPL run-outs, and Lord’s calls (2024 +) regularly haunt calls. 2025 IPL With LSG ‘Faked’ Injury vs KKR that sparked memes; This Test lapse brings back debate Stats: Test SR 78.5 for Pant but when chasing collapses (28 avg under 200-run targets)
Lessons? And as a blueprint use Root’s 180 at Headingley 2021, with Kumble insisting that “situational awareness” is the need of the hour In response to this, Steyn remarked, “One over does not win Tests – it builds innings.”
Supporters of both are: “fire wins series for pant” brain fade happens to everyone But as captain, scrutiny intensifies.
Anil Kumble and Dale Steyn: Legends bash – Rant revisited
From both Kumble’s coaching perspective: “Hold on there, this is not T20”
Kumble knew of Pant’s talent, having coached him in 2017. Guwahati is no Kolkata seamer; the pitch has always favoured batting long. The lesson Pant should have taken, set an example. He said: ”Brain fade costs matches. Recalling the hoicks that had seen Pant dismissed thrice just charging in 2018 SA (twice off Keshav Maharaj), Kumble said: “Bavuma’s grit contrasted with Pant’s: needs respect in passing — India lacked application.”
Fans slammed the “Kumble’s deja vu”-the 2024 “idiotic” comment from him on Pant’s hoick vs England.
When I asked what his advice to Gill would be in that moment, Kumble said: “Natural game is great but you can’t just go by that; you have to be intelligent according to the situation.”
Brain Fade – Can’t win it in an over: Steyn’s Proteas perspective
teyn, who dismissed Pant thrice in 2018 (average 7/51), was blunt. X post: “That is literally just a brainfade shot.” What he said on air: “You can’t win a Test match in an over. Pant charged like T20—edge gone. Needed stability, not fireworks.”
Steyn hailed Jansen: “Smart bowling - shorten the length. Pant misread completely.” His criticism trended with #PantBrainFade (200K + engagement).
Steyn’s history with Pant? In 2018, a sledge from Cape Town: ‘Play straight, son’ Now, a mentor’s nudge.
Voices that Matter — Anil Kumble and Dale Steyn .
Rishabh Pant Brain Fade Controversy: Fan Reactions, Memes and a social media storm
Trends #PantBrainFade: 5 Lakh Posts as X Erupts
Social media lit up post-dismissal. Within a matter of hours, #RishabhPantBrainFade was a trend with 500K posts. Split: ‘Brain fade or Bazball courage?’ (@CricketMaverick). Sleeves replete with memes – “Pant tried travis head, ended travis tail” (@MemeLordCricket) in relation to Head’s hoicks of 2023.
Gautam Gambhir slammed for past applaud on Pant: “A captaincy of disaster” trolls An old dig: Preity Zinta targets 2025 IPL ”big name”; Rs 27 crore pahalwan jibe.
Positive spin: “Flair** wins series, cut him slack” (@PantFanClub).
Expert Speak: Saba Karim, Gavaskar Give Their Take
Saba Karim: Unexplainable as captain—this time Pant has no explanation Sunil Gavaskar brings back 2024 “stupid” tirade, “At 122/7 brain fade? Unforgivable.”
Vaughan: Love aggression, but read the game Neither a gift nor a curse, Debate: the Bazball gift or curse in Tests?
How Social Media Has Affected The Game – amplifier of controversy
Rishabh Pant’s career under scanner: IPL struggles after Gabba heroics 3
What We Got Right: Gabba 89* and IPL Fireworks
The 2018 SA hoicks introduced the world to Pant, but 2021’s Gabba 89 had Sekhar gloriously immortalised—Stokes’ 328 chase ended in Pant clobbering Mitchell Starc for 89 off 104, to clinch the series. IPL: DC heroics: 2020 (618 runs, SR 147) | 2024: LSG captaincy rns (avg 25, 148 SR, CSK won), leadership praised.
Test stats: 2,887 runs; SR 78.5; 6 tons Wicketkeeping: 120 dismissals.
However, brain fades haunt: 2021 Lord’s run-out, 2023 IPL faked injury whispers vs KKR.
Rishabh Pant – The enigma in a talent.
The Lows: IPL Slump in 2025 and Test Blips
IPL 2025 with LSG: Rs 27 crore price tag but average 25, dugout meltdown vs RCB The Preity Zinta big performer, big name controversy resurfaced Test brain fades: 2024 England hoick, now the Guwahati charge.
Captaincy: Filling in by exposing maturity gaps — forgetting bowlers by birth of 2025 SA 1st Test.
Lessons? Root’s Headingley a template as experts call for ‘situational awareness’
The Critiques of Anil Kumble & Dale Steyn: What Pant Must Learn for Next Time
Kumble’s Advice: Patience Over Power
Kumble, who coached Pant at the under-19 level, advised, “Patience please – Guwahati is a ground for big scores.” Brain fade costs Tests.” SA advice of ‘natural game fine, but read the situation’: echo of 2018
Kumble: “You need to play with aggression in ODIs; test is played with brains”
Steyn’s Raw Take: “You Don’t Win Tests in One Over”
Steyn’s tweet: “Brainfade shot.” T20-like charging—required steadiness: On air His 2018 sledges to Pant? Now, tough love.
Steyn: “Jansen smartened length—Pant misread.”
Two legends: this brain fade gets fixed with experience
Test Cricket Strategy – where brain fades cost dear.
Rishabh Pant Brain Fade: India’s Series, Team Spirit Under Threat
Drama On Day 3: Sundar-Kuldeep Rescue, But Lead Builds
After Pant’s exit triggered the collapse, Sundar (48) and Kuldeep (19) put on a stand of 72 runs to avert the follow-on. South Africa were 26 without loss in their second innings at the end of day three to lead by 314 runs. India 489 runs to win (tall order on the turning track) Day 4
Captaincy review: Pant was passive with his field placements; forgot Prasidh Krishna existed till late.
Behind the series: Guwahati win crucial for WTC finals berth after Kolkata loss
Team Ripple: the rise of Jurel and the pressure on Pant
Dhruv Jurel promotion calls fuelled by brain fade — 2025 IPL average 35 and keeping sharp The focus will also be on Pant’s vice-captaincy; Rohit Sharma’s absence as captain tests leadership.
Fans: “Brain fade or Bazball?” Debate rages.
India National Cricket Team – Pant at crossroads.
Khiladi has indeed evoked some strong reactions from the fans where they literally flooded the social media with some meme templates. So much so, that #PantBrainFade has been trending on the platforms.
Trolls To Fighters — Give X Storm The Helping Hand
RishabhPantBrainFade trended with 500K posts. Memes: “Pant as Travis Head — finished as Travis Tail” (Head’s 2023 hoicks) Trolls: Rs 27 crore pahalwan brain fades (IPL 2025 tag) 4m ago
Defenders: “Flair wins series - give a pass” @PantArmy Preity Zinta’s 2025 “big name” jibe went viral.
Gautam Gambhir hard hit: “Captaincy disaster” after earlier praises
Social media: Cricket’s echo chamber.
Cricket and Social Media – adding fuel to fire
Rishabh Pant: Evolving the Brain Fade Addiction
Technique Tweaks: Coaches Weigh In
Ravi Shastri: “There’s a way to channel aggression – Root’s calm in Headingley. Drills to encourage reading the field; mental coaching in pressure situations
Pant’s response? After the game: “It was a mistake but it is a way to learn.
Future: Maturity is the key to a WTC finals spot
Sounds of IPL: Trouble in 2025 and questions of who leads them forward
LSG in IPL 2025: Averages 25, dugout outburst vs RCB, faked injury allegations vs KKR Zinta Test brain fade blew up big “performer” controversy
Pant requires balance as captain – both panache and brains.
Test Bed for Pant — Indian Premier League.
Anil Kumble and Dale Steyn: As a mentor or a critic? Their History with Pant
Kumble’s Last Hurrah: Tough Love, 2017-18
Kumble was Pant’s coach during the SA series in 2017-18Lyons who dismissed Pant thrice out of four innings. Kumble remembered, “Brain fade then, same now.” But also: “Need discipline—talent supreme.”
Lesson from Kumble Headingley 1999 (4/51): Patience is a virtue
From Sledges in 2018 to Tweets in 2025: Steyn’s Rivalry
Back in 2018, Steyn dismissed Pant thrice for an average of 7. Sledges: “Play straight, kid.” Now, brainfade shot tweet — type of tough love that comes from foe-turned-commentator.
Steyn: “One over does not win a Test matches — build it”
Both: Pant’s mentors in disguise.
Anil Kumble | Dale Steyn – voices influencing Pant
Rishabh Pant Brain Fade FAQ: Setting the record straight regarding the controversy
Q1: What is the definition of a cricket ‘brain fade’?
Q: Brain fade — what is it and where does it come from? A: Brain fade … it is a temporary lapse in judgement — misreading a delivery, or poor shot selection under pressure, etc. The charge to Jansen is an example of it—smart, but poor execution.
Q2: Is Pant’s aggression a disadvantage in Tests?
A: Double-edged. Averages 89* in winning chases (Gabba), but 2024 England hoick in collapses. Kumble, among others, has advocated for some situational awareness.
Q3: What has Pant done in the past to respond to his brain fades?
Q: What you learnt from 2021 Lord’s run-out; IPL 2025 dugout issues brought in counseling. Post-Gu wahati: Team first, not mistake
Q: Does this mean Pant’s vice-captaincy is in jeopardy?
Ans: Unlikely—Rohit backs flair. But Jurel’s rise pressures him.
Q5: Did Steyn and Kumble overshoot their critique?
A: Fair—legends highlight growth areas. Steyn through a tweet: Tough love; Kumble through a message: Constructive
Q6: How far does India stand from the break down?
A: Sundar-Kuldeep stand offers hope. Fourth day target: 489, a miracle is needed but Pant’s 2nd innings comes to rescue
Q7: Mamems and fan outrage — Pant and the way forward?
A: It’s addictive—Haters make me stronger 2025 IPL trolls built resilience.
Conclusion: Rishabh Pant Brain Fade – A Test of Test Temperament?
Kumble and Steyn critique Pant’s brain fade dismissal, but it is a chapter, not the book A second innings redemption, with India chasing 288, may silence his critics. Pant’s ride is the thrill of Test cricket, flair meets fire — Gabba glory to Guwahati gaffe One over doesn’t win Tests—so says Steyn. Will Pant learn? Fans hope so. A verdict—brain fade blunder or Bazball bravery? Comment below.
