'You’ve got to zip it' - Mark Waugh and Shane Warne slam Rishabh Pant for his constant chatter behind the stumps

The Day 1 of the last Test of the four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane saw Australia taking an edge over the visitors as Marnus Labuschagne shined with the willow. India’s young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant again hogged the limelight during the game for his constant chatter behind the stumps.

Pant is an active keeper who can be constantly heard either motivating the bowlers, fielders, or sledging the opposition batters on the stump mic. However, former Australian veterans Mark Waugh and Shane Warne were not impressed with this quality of the youngster as they rebuked him to “zip it up” and let the players concentrate on the game.

There was a delay in the proceedings on Day 1 as Pant continued his ranting even after Washington Sundar was preparing to bowl before the tea break. This didn’t go well with on-strike batsman Matthew Wade as he refused to take the strike back unless Rishabh stopped speaking. Wade complained that he wasn’t able to focus on the ball due to the chatter of the keeper.

I don’t mind the encouraging and Rishabh Pant has a smile on his face: Shane Warne

Mark Waugh, who was participating with the mic in his hand, immediately reflected on this incident advising Rishabh Pant to shut his mouth when the bowler is about to bowl. Also, Waugh urged the umpires to take action in such situations and set an example.

“I don‘t have a problem with the keeper talking but not when the bowler is about to bowl. You’ve got to zip it then. I think the umpire has got to take some control in these situations. It’s out of the players’ hands, the umpires have got to control the game out there. If it starts getting too much or it’s holding up play you’ve got to get the standards right out there if you’re umpiring,” Mark Waugh said while being on-air for Fox Sports.

Mark’s counterpart, Shane Warne also agreed with his former teammate saying that he doesn’t mind Pant encouraging his teammates but everything should be within a limit and he should know when to zip it up.

“I‘m a bit with you Jun (Waugh). I don’t mind the encouraging and Rishabh Pant has a smile on his face, he’s having a laugh with his teammates around the bat. But if the bowler is starting to come in, that’s the time to just zip it and let the batsman concentrate,” Warne said.