Rishabh Pant, the young Indian wicket-keeper batter, has been a topic of much discussion and debate after his recent performance in the Test series against Afghanistan. While some have praised his aggressive batting style, others have criticized his lack of patience and ability to convert starts into big totals. One of the most vocal critics of Pant has been former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been an advocate for Pant's talent but also for his need to improve certain aspects of his game.
In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Ashwin called Pant the "best Test batter India has" and praised his defensive skills, stating that even Gavaskar is impressed. However, he also expressed disappointment with Pant's inability to take up more responsibilities and convert his starts into bigger totals. Ashwin believes that Pant's multiple 80-run scores without converting them into centuries is a major issue, and he has even had conversations with Pant about buying time and playing the percentages in Test cricket.
"You've got out so many times in the 80s and 90s. It's impossible to discover such a great Test batter. But playing such a shot on 80 is mind-boggling. Having come to 80, can't you play for another 20 runs?" Ashwin said, criticizing Pant's lack of patience and ability to take the extra responsibility as a batter. He believes that Pant needs to start playing the situation for the team on many occasions and that his natural game should be playing the percentages in Test cricket.
Despite his criticism, Ashwin is a big fan of Pant's talent and believes that he is among the best Test batters in India. However, he also acknowledges that Pant has a long way to go and needs to improve certain aspects of his game to become a true Test match champion. The debate around Pant's performance and his future in the Indian team is likely to continue, as fans and experts alike await his next move and his ability to live up to the high expectations that come with being a top-tier Test batter.
