Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has praised wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant’s defensive technique post the conclusion of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite a series of inconsistent performances with the bat, Pant managed to score only 255 runs at an average of 28.33.
Throughout the series, Pant struggled to convert solid starts into big scores, with just one half-century in nine innings. However, his adaptability was on display in the final Test at Sydney, where he played gritty knocks of 40 off 98 balls and 61 off 33 balls in the first and second innings respectively, on a challenging pitch.
In a commentary on his YouTube channel, Ashwin commended Pant’s defensive ability and emphasized the significance of his understated 40-run innings in the first innings compared to his explosive second innings.
“We must realize that Rishabh Pant rarely gets out playing defensively. He possesses one of the best defensive techniques in world cricket with a soft hand. I have bowled to him extensively in the nets, and he rarely gets caught out, doesn’t get LBW, as he has a phenomenal defense. He has been given the feedback that he needs to adapt his approach in Test cricket,” Ashwin stated.
Ashwin also underlined Pant’s untapped potential and urged him to strike a balance between defense and aggression in his batting.
“Rishabh Pant is yet to realize his fullest potential” – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin expressed his belief that Pant is yet to unlock his full batting capabilities and needs to work on mastering the equilibrium between defense and attack. While Pant has showcased flashes of brilliance in the past, his impulsive shot-making during the Australian series drew criticism for its dismissiveness.
“We need to guide him on the right path to solid or intent-driven batting. Though he hasn’t been among the runs, his approach hasn’t reflected that of a struggling batsman. He possesses abundant time on his hands. Rishabh Pant is still in the process of reaching his full potential,” Ashwin highlighted.
In conclusion, Ashwin emphasized Pant’s array of shots, including high-risk ones like the reverse sweep and slog sweep, and stressed the importance of balancing defense and attack for consistent scoring success.
Pant, a key figure in India’s recent Test successes, faced criticism for his underwhelming performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, resulting in India losing the series 1-3.
Edited by Arshit Garg
