Rishabh Pant hit two fifties in recent Test series between India and Sri Lanka.
India keeper-batter Rishabh Pant had a decent Test series against Sri Lanka, where he scored 168 runs in two matches, with two half-centuries. But his former India teammate R Ashwin was not satisfied with how Pant has played so far and urged him to take more responsibility.
Pant's attacking instincts have come under intense scrutiny over the past few months, with some believing that the left-hander doesn't put enough value on his wicket.
When Pant was leading India against South Africa in Guwahati last year in Shubman Gill's absence, the 28-year-old threw his wicket away off Marco Jansen's bowling, dancing down the track before edging the ball to the wicketkeeper.
R. Ashwin stated that Pant hasn’t fulfilled the expectations he had and sought more responsible batting from the keeper-batter. Pant has lost his place in India’s white-ball squads and faces tough competition from Dhruv Jurel in the Test arena as well.
“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’.
The host on Ashwin’s show argued that Pant is a once-in-a-generation player and should be allowed some leeway. But Ashwin countered that argument with clear facts.
“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.
I am just talking about the times when these chances are 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 a 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 said that as Pant is being left out of India's squads for both Tests and ODIs, he must receive some candid criticism. He went on to say that although he is a huge fan of Pant, he wants him to adapt to the circumstances so that he can play for the squad in all formats.
“Don't give one player special treatment. This once-in-a-generation player is backing it, then giving 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 is expected to be next in action when India travels to New Zealand for a two-Test series. He is not part of the white-ball series, as India will next host the West Indies at home for limited-over games.