Former India spinner R Ashwin praised India’s talented wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant after his twin centuries in Leeds in the first India vs England Test. However, Ashwin has requested Rishabh Pant to convert his centuries into double centuries. However, despite five centuries from the Indian batters across both innings, England chased their second-highest target of 371 to register a 0-1 lead in the five-match series as well.
“It is wrong comparion. MS Dhoni never batted at No. 5. I would say Dhoni was wicketkeeper-batter. Pant is a batter-wicketkeeper. Rishabh Pant should be compared with Virat Kohli , other batters. He is a mainstream batter,” Ashwin said on ‘Ash ki Baat’.
R Ashwin also compared Pant’s ability to pick a delivery with Pakistani legend Inzamam-ul-Haq.
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He said, “The skill and timing that Rishabh Pant has…Look at the amount of time he is facing fast bowling. he is hitting fast bowlers slog sweep, then also going for late scoops. Why do these things happen to Rishabh Pant? Because he has got so much time where he wants to lodge a ball that is thrown at him. How do you define this time? Actually, there is a story. In 1992 World Cup, Imran Khan got Inzamam ul Haq in the team. He was asked ‘Why did you pick up Inzamam?’ Imran replied, ‘Wasim Akram is bowling so fast, yet Inzamam is batting in slow motion’. Some of these special batters have the knack of picking the bowlers early.”
Praising Rishabh Pant’s twin centuries as a rare feat, R Ashwin said that the star wicketkeeper-batter should look to score more as well. However, he also requested Pant to avoid his now-famous front flips, especially in the longer format as well.
“Rishabh has had a fabulous game as a batter. But I would like to repeat that Rishabh has got a great defence. There is not one shot in the book that he cannot play. Can I request you to make a double 100 next time when you’re batting at 130? Because, you know that lower order doesn’t mean more contribution. So, in your situation, I request you to please take the team to the last day. I’ve only one request, please don’t do that front flip. In Tests, your body gets tired unlike in IPL where you will not play more than 50-60 balls. He is a bona fide top batter in the Indian lineup. So he has nothing to prove,” R Ashwin concluded.
