Guwahati, November 26, 2025. Two icons — Anil Kumble and Dale Steyn — have come down heavily on Rishabh Pant for his reckless disregard for the tempo of the innings or match situation that led to his ill-timed dismissal at the fag end of the 2nd innings of the Ind-SA Test series. With the hosts in chase of a staggering 489 on a deteriorating pitch and already faltering at 122/7, Pant’s braindead charge down the track to Marco Jansen cost him his wicket — out for a brisk 7 off 8 balls after creating a faint edge to Kyle Verreynne. It was a ‘brain fade shot’, showing sheer lack of responsibilityKumble, on commentary, didn’t mince words: “You cannot do that in Test cricket. From the opposing dugout, Steyn tweeted in response to both players: “Beautiful brain fade right there.
A Test cannot be won in a single over. That Moment, as India went on to lose the Test by 288 runs, their 201 all ouf, has sparked discussions around Pant’s captaincy temperament, his Bazball-like approach and if this is the reality check which the southpaw needed. That PANT BLUNDER: Sasithra Wicket-Keeper Pant’s error not only cost India tbe series 1-1 but also soared the clamour of pushing Dhruv Jurel up the order as Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav shattered seasaw 72-un run stand. But is Pant’s flamboyance a detriment in red-ball cricket? How did the shot look, how it backfired on the backlash and how it set the fans into frenzy and what it implies for India’s WTC hopes?
Rishabh Pant Brain Fade Shot: The Blunder Which Cost India in Guwahati Thriller
The Over In Question: Jansen’s Snare And Pant’s Errant Rush
The scene was the 47th over, tea having been taken on Day 4, a surface in Guwahati – once a belter – morphing into a minefield as shinks cracked and seamers started to jerk the ball savagely off the seam. Having faced a first-innings deficit of 367 following South Africa’s 468, India had recovered to 122/7 due to a stoic 58 from Yashasvi Jaiswal and a dogged seventh-wicket stand. Rishabh Pant, the assigned aggressor, walks in at 8. Pant had defended his opening 10 deliveries against the imposing Proteas left-armer, who had earlier taken 5/48, when temptation occurred Jr
Pant danced down the track wildly to a full delivery outside off, one foot in a cross-batted hoick towards cow corner, the other in Bazball. Jansen read the play like a book and cut his distance in half. A length ball reared awkwardly, taking the edge and ballooning to slip. Verreynne effected a sharp catch low and umpire Nitin Menon did not hesitate in raising the finger. A snick that was confirmed by the DRS — [out] for seven. From 122/7, India crashed to 201 all out, with Sundar not out on 48 and Kuldeep on 19 following their gallant 72-run partnership.
Commentators were stunned. Nasser Hussain: “That sums up brain fade – aggression without application. It not only ended Pant’s innings but also triggered a collapse of 5 for 79, handing SA a 288-run win and the series 1-1. Under the pressure of the WTC final place hanging by a thread, Pant’s lapse seemed like shooting one’s own toes.
Rishabh Pant – the mercurial keeper-batsman where the peaks and troughs seem like the soundtrack of Indian cricket now and here.
Brain Fades of Yesteryears: The Lord’s run out to IPL Brain Fades
Pant’s Guwahati gaffe isn’t isolated. Think back to the 2021 Lord’s Test: Because of some indecision, he was the reason for a run-out with KL Rahul and saw off an important partnership in a chase. Or IPL 2025 with LSG: Slapped with a Rs 27 crore price tag, LSG coach Andy Flower was in the media shell during and after a Dugout meltdown (above) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru when KL Rahul blew a fuse over a fielding faux pas – memes labelled him Rs 27 crore pahalwan. Sunil Gavaskar blasted a hoick as “stupid,” “brain fade” in the 2024 Border-Gavaskar series.
This is the case for most of those moments, and the trend seems similar: Pant’s nonconformist panache (SR 78.5 in Tests, 6 centuries) comes out to score in run-chases like Gabba 89*, but falters in low-scoring dogfights. The charge screamed T20 impulse in Test garb, and had it come to gain ground 367 minutes away in Guwahati, we may as well pen a line about how to save Test cricket outside of the T20 arena. Brain fade — Read the game Rishabh — Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 31, 2023 One over doesn’t win Tests.”
The debate rages on: in defense of technology by way of gift or curse? But the 38.6 average masks volatility; 28 in chases of 200 or fewer — 2,887 Test runs in total for Pant.
Kumble’s Red-hot Rant: “You Can’t Do That – Brain Fade Indicates Complete Lack of Responsibility
Realness: It’s About Application Not Aggression
It was scathing stuff on Star Sports from India’s 619-Test wicket wizard, and Pant’s 2017-18 coach, Anil Kumble. The worst brain fade of the lot – that only comes after 10 balls, you can’t do that. 1Guwahatifavoured going the distance with the bat; Pant needed to establish himself and show the way as captain He revolted, “Give due respect to the bowlers’ spell. Kumble compared Pant’s approach with that of Temba Bavuma’s grit Pant went on to make a quickfire 90 McCullum wrote in a column for The Times of London “(“India lacked application – that’s why the collapse from 95/2 to 122/7 in 13 overs,’ a drop Kumble compared Pant’s approach with that of Temba Bavuma players.
Kumble cited his 4/51 heroics at Headingly in 1999, saying, “ODIs need aggression, Tests need brains. Then came the statement, Bottom line: Pant can play, but Panth must mature. His rant in the video – repeating on Pant’s England hoick the ‘stupid’ tirade from the 2024 – went viral – 2.8 million views on clips. Siddarth Mehta: Fans were all in agreement: “Kumble is correct, brain fade decides series”
Kumble’s history with Pant? In 2018 SA tour tough love, Pant hoicked and got out thrice. “What was learnt back then; now its time to implement,” he alluded.
Anil Kumble – the voice urging Pant to evolve.
From Pant’s Early Days — Kumble saw Through the Coaching Lens
Pant burst through Kumble’s coaching stints in 2017, but was riddled with frequent brain fades – thundering dismissals in SA. Kumble then advised, “Natural game fine, but lengths”. Cut to 2025 — the lapses which had mirrored that Guwahati charge. Kumble: As vice-captain of the cricketing side, “tone-setter” not “set off fireworks” when “stability is the name of the game”
His critique trended #KumbleOnPant, received 150K engagement posts. Said @SpinWizardFan: “Legend dropping truth bombs.”
Dale Steyn’s savage review: ‘Brain fade shot – You can’t win a test match playing T20 cricket’
Steyn’s X Blast: From Rival to Relentless Critic
Dale Steyn, the Proteas icon who terrorized Pant in 2018 (7/51, three dismissals), was merciless. On X: “That is just a brainfade shot” – 180K likes in hours. Commentating for SuperSport, Steyn elaborated: “You can’t win a Test in one over. Pant charged like T20 – edge and gone. Needed to build, not blast.”
Jansen’s commendation: “Smart bowlingfull length on charge Pant misread completely.” In hindsight, it has proven prophetic, as sledges Steyn discharged at young Pant in Cape Town (“Play straight, kid”) now echo. The tweet blew up #PantBrainFade posts hit 600K before memes compared it to Travis Head’s 2023 hoicks.
Steyn’s perspective? The 439-Test wicket taker knows pressure: “You can’t afford a brain fade as captain.
Unfiltered wisdom of fast-bowling oracleDale Steyn
His Rivalry With Pant: From Sledging in 2018 to Books, Tweets in 2025 — Steyn
Pant’s baptism of fire – 3 dismissals, average 7 – on SA tour of 2018: Steyn Lines like “Too straight, kid” left a sting but Pant quipped back. The “brain fade” label from Steyn now resurrects that rivalry. In a tongue-in-cheek post-match comment, Steyn said: “Jansen bowled it the way I used to – keep the charger trapped.”
Harsh but honest with Steyn: Fans: The critique becomes louder with Kumble’s as this also draws legends in a tone of action with a tone of improvement.
Reactions To Rishabh Pant Not Batting With Brain Fade: Fans Take Witty Jibes As Social Media Goes On A Rampage
X Goes Wild: 800K #PantBrainFade Posts and Brutal Memes
Social media lost it. #RishabhPantBrainFade topped India trends with 800K posts in 24 hours. Buddha spotted memes galore: “Pant as TRAVIS Head – Pant as TRAVIS TAIL w/o scoring any runs (Head’s 2023 Bazball hoicks); or “Rs 27 crore pahalwan brain fades” (IPL 2025 tag) ‘Big name’ jab: Trolls brings back Preity Zinta’s shot from LSG dugout meltdown vs RCB
So defenders came out to give their verdict: “Flair Wendy’s Series – کم گدھی (@PantArmyOfficial). Gautam Gambhir under fire for previous compliments : “Stupid thinking” 2024 “disaster captaincy”
Gavaskar said, “Unexcusable – Pant can’t argue this time. Saba Karim: Was that brain fade, as captain? Shocking.”
Cricketing social echo chamber still balances between love and hate for Pant genius.
The Scent of What a Team Needs: –Social Media Impact on Sports –
Stage 3: Waterfalls with Expert Chorus – Vaughan, Hussain, and Gavaskar Pile On
Michael Vaughan: “Brain fade – aggression fine, but gauge the game.” Nasser Hussain: Guwahati requires you to be patient and Pant’s T20 brain cost India big time Sunil Gavaskar on 2024 “stupid” moniker revived: “Can’t explain – embarrassment of brain fade at 122/7 unforgivable”
Good: Ravi Shastri: ”Learns from mistakes – Gabba 89* says it all” Debate: Bazball gift or curse?
Writing in a Test temperament with critiques from Anil Kumble and Dale Steyn
Kumble’s Tough Love: “Rishabh, Hang In, It’s Not T20”
Pressure mounts on Pant after ex-coach Kumble channels 2018 SA frustration: ‘That is not done after 10 balls’ If the pitch is doing good long innings should be favoured – Captain set example Diffrent to Bavuma’s character: “India did not apply themselves – Perth: 95/2 to 122/7 in 13 overs.
Kumble headingly 1999 (4/51) as template: “ODIs need aggression but Tests require brains.” Viral clip: 3.2 million views.
It’s brain fade pure and an over doesn’t win tests, Steyn’s raw edge
Steyn’s tweet: “Brainfade shot.” Aired: ” Charged just like T20 — needed stability” Jansen: “Good length change – Pant misjudged”
Those sledge of his to Pant in 2018 (“It’s the straight end, kid”) now sounding like a mentor. Dean’s remarks were ”brain fade occurs; captains change,” however, Steyn continued to add.
Legends unite: Maturity over madness.
Test Cricket Tactics – where brain fades sting.
Pant, Captaincy, Jurel in Context Of Rishabh Pant Brain Fade
Knight Watch: 1-1 Level, WTC Final On Knife’s Edge|Series Stakes
India 1-1 after Guwahati loss, needs Cape Town win to qualify for WTC finals After Pant’s lapse cost Australia, 288-run defeat, Sundar-Kuldeep’s 72-run stand spared follow-on Day 5 target? Not happening, but the opportunity for second-innings Pant redemption beckons.
Through the lens of captaincy: Too many holes in stand-in role — fields that are almost too passive, Prasidh almost forgotten till late.
World Test Championship – Pant’s crossroads.
The story behind Jurel’s rise: The brain fade backlash, naysayers and who’ll keep wickets
Formidable keeper with an IPL average of 35 will open the doors of his promotion in 2025 WicketKeeperWatch (@afairywicket) October 8, 2023Give @JurelPrabhsimran a try #brainfadecosts Rohit’s absence puts Pant’s vice-captaincy under the spotlight
IPL 2025: LSG’s dugout drama (vs RCB) & docred (vs KKR): ” Rs 27 crore tag haunts the weigh’
Rishabh Pant Brain Fade Memes, Fan Wars Kill Social Media | The Good, Bad & Ugly
Trending Memes on X: ‘Pahalwan Pahal’ to Travis Tail
#RishabhPantBrainFade memes erupted: “Pant as Travis Head – finished as Travis Tail (Head’s 2023 hoicks, 500K likes) In his course of rage Shaheen tweeted that “Rs 27 crore pahalwan between the ears” (IPL tag, Zinta dig) “Bazball or Brainball?” Pant charges his ghost ball
Trollers: “PREITY ZINTA WAS RIGHT BIG NAME SMALL GAME. Defenders: “Haters make flair wins series.”
Kumble-Steyn Photoshop as ‘Brain Fade Detectives’ goes Viral
Social cricket: it is a love it or loathe it thing.
Internet Memes — The accidental star of Pan
Fan Divide: “Bazball Braveheart” vs ”Captaincy Clown
60-40 split between fans: 60% defend (“ ’Garba 89* magic”), 40% slam (“Brain fade costs Tests”) @PantArmy: “Aggression his superpower.” – NOT T20 “Grow Up.” — Cricket Purist (@CricketPurist) October 3, 2023
Gavaskar: “Inexplicable.” Shastri: “Learns fast.”
Debate: Bazball evolution or regression?
Classy player — Kumble slaps Pant in the face | Timeline of tough love | https://t.co/DifwHXP2pY — kreedon ⓜ (@kreedon_) October 8, 2017
Brain fade lessons from Kumble’s 2017-18 coach stint
Jalaluddin’s: Kumble (coached debut) – 2018 SA hoicks all three out. He recommended, ”Real, but read lengths.” Guwahati echo: “Same brain fade – maturity needed.”
Kumble’s grit at Headingley as example: ‘Patience pays off’
2018 Rivalry of Steyn: From Sledges to Sympathy
Styen dismissed Pant 3 times, (averaging 7) after sledging “Straight, kid!” Full circle — 2025 tweet, “Brainfade shot” Steyn post-match commended for playing is his mind “Learns from failures”.
Legends’ timeline: Criticism as care.
Unintentional mentors for Pant – Anil Kumble | Dale Steyn.
Rishabh Pant Brain Fade Takeaways: Fixes In Technique, Changes In Mindset Required To Be A Captain
Click Here For Shot Breakdown: Reading Length Of Shot, Adjustments On Trigger Movement.
It was a back of length as Jansen rolled his wrist; Pant had to advance down the track. Coaches says: Slack Trigger, keep eyes on Bowler. Pant’s cross-bat? EXTRA OR LAYED- BACK COVER DRIVE ON FULLER LENGTHS.
Mental: Visualisation drills to rehearse high-pressure chases – Root’s Headingley preparation
Growing into Captaincy: Dodgy Diatribes to Dogged Determination
2025: IPL | LSG: Dugout vs RCB, ‘staged injury’ vs KKR – captaincy query Guwahati: Affected pitches, late call-up for Prasidh. Shastri: ”Captaincy based on the situation – flamboyance with common sense.
Path ahead: Leverage Jurel partnership for balance
PTI Captaincy in Cricket – the test for Pant
Rishabh Pant brain fade explained: Clearing the confusion over Pant’s Guwahati brain fade
Q1 What is a ‘brain fade’ dismissal in cricket?
A: A lapse of judgment — miss measuring length, ill intention under duress. Take for instance Pant’s charge to Jansen — T20 urge in Test context.
Q2: Was Pant’s shot Bazball or stupidity?
Q: Bazball is all about positivity, is it but at Guwahati there was no option other than patience? Kumble: ‘Game should dictate aggression however great it be.
Q3 — How did Pant react to previous brain farts?
A: IPL 2025 counselling post-meltdowns; 2021 Lord’s run-out learnt lessons Batting first, post-Gu wahati: “Team before mistake.”
Will this affect Pant vice-captaincy Q4)
Rohit: Yes some scrutiny, though backs him. Pressure upon pressure heats, Jurel’s rise -> balance needed.
Q5: Steyn and Kumble giving their comments – too harsh or could be helpful?
A: Helpful tough love. Sting: Steyn | Kumble: Stinging truth; Kumble: Tough love
Q6 — Will India strike back in the decider at Cape Town?
A: Tough – SA seamers were too good. WTC finals: Pant hitting back in second innings a must to keep hope alive.
Q7: How does Pant deal with memes and backlash?
A: Loves it — “Haters make fire.” 2025 IPL trolls built resilience.
In conclusion: Rishabh Pant brain fade – India Test firebrand to wake-up?
Rishabh Pant brain fade in Guwahati — Kumble, Steyn hammer dismisses that was more than a dismissal, it’s a reflection of Pant’s growth Pant’s journey from the Gabba to this gaffe epitomises the lure of Test cricket: Flair Vs Discipline Cape Town holds the key to redemption with series level at 1-1 Steyn: “One over doesn’t win Tests – build it.” Will Pant? Fans wait. Bazball mistake or a statement? Your call. Drop below.
