New Delhi. Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed his frank opinion about wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant's performance in Test cricket and his shot selection. Ashwin says that the level that is expected from Pant has not been fully achieved yet. In the recent two-Test series against Sri Lanka, Pant scored 168 runs, which included two half-centuries. However, questions have been raised over his aggressive style and selection of some shots.
'My expectations from Pant have not been fulfilled yet'
On his YouTube channel 'Ash Ki Baat', Ashwin said that a player's natural style cannot be used as a defense for all his mistakes in Test cricket. According to him, it is important for the batsman to understand what kind of batting the team needs in that phase of the match.
Ashwin said, “My expectations from Rishabh Pant have not been fulfilled yet. When the game is in your hands, then it is not right to say that Rishabh plays like this. The question is what your team needs at that time.”
'One wrong decision is enough to lose the test'
Ashwin also questioned Pant's arguments defending his aggressive cricket. He said that to win a Test match, the contribution of the entire team is needed, but one wrong decision can change the course of the match.
He praised Pant's innings played in Sydney and Brisbane, but said that the contribution of players like Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur in those matches was also important for the victory.
According to Ashwin, “It takes 11 cricketers to make a Test match and win it in the last session, but just one moment of stupid mistake is enough to lose the Test.”
Comparison with Sehwag-Gilchrist is also not acceptable
Ashwin also disagreed with comparisons of Pant with Virender Sehwag and Australia's legendary wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist. He said that both the players played aggressive cricket, but did not take risks completely ignoring the match circumstances.
According to him, in Test cricket it is important for a batsman to understand when to attack and when to control his batting according to the circumstances. Ashwin said that he likes Pant as a player, but he needs to improve his decision-making abilities.
'Why special treatment to a player?'
Ashwin also rejected the argument of giving special support to Pant by calling him a 'one-in-a-generation player'. He says that if Pant is being given extra confidence on this basis, then young players like Yashasvi Jaiswal should also get equal support.
He said, “Don't give special treatment to any one player. If so much support is to be given to a player coming in one generation, then this support should be given to everyone. Yashasvi Jaiswal is also such a player.”
Have played more than 50 tests, now responsibility is necessary
Citing Pant's experience, Ashwin said that now his mistakes cannot be ignored considering him a young or inexperienced player. After playing more than 50 Tests, more responsibility is expected from him.
He said, “Rishabh is experienced. He has played 50 Tests. Now he has to take responsibility. Don't make the argument that he is a once-in-a-generation player. It is because of his decision-making ability that he is not playing the other two formats.”
However, Ashwin also said that if Pant improves his decision-making abilities by accepting his mistakes, he can become a player to play all three formats for India in the future.
Questions on decisions, not talent
Ashwin made it clear that he has no doubt on Pant's talent. His objection is only about taking risks in Test cricket and batting as per the conditions. He said that he likes Pant as a player, but he needs to strike a better balance between his natural aggressive style and the needs of the team.