Ravichandran Ashwin believes Rishabh Pant needs to show greater awareness of match situations and take more responsibility with the bat, despite the wicketkeeper-batter putting together a respectable series against Sri Lanka.Pant finished the two-Test series with 168 runs and two half-centuries. However, Ashwin feels the numbers do not tell the complete story and wants the India batter to exercise more judgement when deciding how to attack.Pant’s aggressive approach has come under scrutiny over the past few months, with questions being raised about whether he sometimes takes unnecessary risks and fails to put enough value on his wicket.The former India spinner pointed to Pant’s dismissal against South Africa in Guwahati last year as an example. While captaining India in the absence of Shubman Gill, Pant charged down the track against Marco Jansen and edged the delivery to the wicketkeeper.Pant is currently a Test-only player for India after falling out of favour in the white-ball formats. Ashwin believes his decision-making in Test cricket remains an area that needs attention.“My expectation from Rishabh Pant hasn’t been fulfilled till now. I am very sorry. Sonal Dinusha had his strike rate up there. But the difference is high-risk options. When you have the game in your hand, these are all statements: ‘That’s how Rishabh plays.’ It is about what your team needs,” Ashwin said on ‘Ash Ki Baat’.
Ashwin rejects ‘once-in-a-generation’ argument
During the discussion, the host argued that Pant’s unique ability and his history of producing match-winning performances meant he should be given some freedom to play his natural game.Ashwin, however, insisted that even an exceptional player cannot be exempt from the demands of the situation.“Rishabh played a class knock in Sydney and Brisbane, but you couldn’t have won that match without Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur. It takes 11 cricketers to build a Test and win it in the last session of the game, but it takes only 1 moment of foolishness to lose a Test,” said Ashwin.The former off-spinner clarified that his criticism was not directed at Pant’s attacking style itself. Instead, he wants the batter to recognise when the situation demands a different approach.“I am just talking about the times when these chances are being taken when the game is on the line. I love Rishabh the player. It is about playing situations in this format. Sehwag and Gilchrist played high brand of cricket, but these two don’t get edged out while dancing down to Marco Jansen when your team is trailing by 500 runs. Don’t place these marketing lines in front of me ever again,” he added.
Ashwin urges Pant to put team needs ahead of attacking instincts
Ashwin also called for more straightforward feedback for Pant, arguing that his status as a special talent should not shield him from criticism.The former India spinner pointed out that Pant has now played 50 Tests and believes his experience means he should be expected to take greater responsibility.“Don’t give one player special treatment. This once-in-a-generation player backing, then give it to everyone. Jaiswal is also such a player. All I’m saying, Rishabh, is that he is experienced; he has played 50 Tests. He needs to take responsibility. Don’t come up with this ‘once-in-a-generation’ argument. It is because of his decision-making that he’s not playing the other two formats. The day you tell him the truth, he will be an all-format player for India,” said Ashwin.Pant’s current status outside India’s ODI and T20I squads has added further significance to Ashwin’s comments. While he remains a key part of India’s Test setup, Ashwin believes adapting his approach to different match situations could be the key to Pant eventually returning as an all-format player.
