Rishabh Pant has come in for some valid criticism by his former India teammate R Ashwin, who slammed him for his reckless shot selection. This came after India suffered a record 408-run defeat against South Africa in the second and final Test, which was played in Guwahati.

With this win, South Africa handed India another whitewash at home and won their first Test series in India since 2000.

Analyzing the match on his YouTube channel, Ashwin praised Rishabh Pant, saying that he had a superb game and defense. He did, however, also voice his dissatisfaction with Pant's careless shot selection, which frequently results in his dismissal.

Ashwin thinks Pant is a highly talented player who might have a big effect, but he needs to be more accountable and cautious with his shots.

"My heartbeat used to go fast in the dressing room when Rishabh Pant batted. He has a superb game and defense, so I always wonder why he would get out to shots like these. I will still say he is a very good player, and the day he takes responsibility, things can start changing. I don't deny the X-factor he brings. Nathan Astle once smashed 200-odd runs in Christchurch," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat.

"But he didn't play the same way in every test after that. Similarly, batters cannot play the same way every time. I have said it in the dressing room, but it cannot change until he realizes it. If you are a captain today, 10 others will follow in your footsteps. So, responsibility is a must," he added.

Pant captained India in the second Test after Shubman Gill was ruled out due to a neck sprain. Pant had a quiet outing in the Proteas Test series with only 49 runs under his belt in four innings.

Ashwin acknowledged his dissatisfaction with India's performance in the Test series, saying that while he wasn't upset with the team's defeat, he was discouraged by their lack of tenacity.

He thought the second match's pitch in Guwahati was of Test level, and he would have been pleased if the squad had persevered and advanced to the final session.

"I wasn't sad about losing the test, but there was no fight. This pitch was also of test quality. I would've been happy had they taken it to the last session and lost. I understand a leader should take responsibility, but in the dressing room, everyone should raise their hands individually and take that accountability," Ashwin added.

Ashwin also believes that this Indian Test team is way behind in terms of experience.

"Only then will the improvement come. I will still say this team is way behind in terms of experience and everything in Test cricket. It will take time for this time to go up," he concluded.

This is India's second whitewash at home under the head coach Gautam Gambhir. 0-3 to NZ last year and 0-2 vs SA now—two home Test series defeats for India in two years.

(ANI inputs)