Overview:

Ashwin, while acknowledging Pant’s flair and fearless batting, pointed out the importance of developing better match awareness and knowing when to shift gears.

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has offered a fresh take on Rishabh Pant’s journey in Test cricket, calling for a deeper appreciation of his unique style and abilities. Ashwin feels that Pant should be evaluated on his individual achievements and contributions, rather than being frequently compared to the former Australian legend Adam Gilchrist.

Ashwin feels that while Pant’s daring and attacking style has won over fans, his true greatness will emerge when he balances that flair with better game awareness and understanding of the match situation. “I hope to see Rishabh Pant reach the heights he’s capable of. We all love the excitement he brings, but he also has the ability to rein himself in when necessary. He’s no longer a newcomer, and I prefer to assess him based on the high standards he can achieve,” Ashwin said.

Rishabh Pant has grown into a key figure in India’s Test side, often changing the course of matches with his attacking style, particularly in overseas conditions. Pant made history as he became the first Asian wicketkeeper-batter to score over 2,000 Test runs in SENA countries, demonstrating his consistency and skill in challenging situations.

Ashwin, while acknowledging Pant’s flair and fearless batting, pointed out the importance of developing better match awareness and knowing when to shift gears.

“Rishabh Pant is a fantastic cricketer. People often compare him to Adam Gilchrist, but that’s not quite accurate. Gilchrist didn’t possess the kind of solid defence Pant has. Pant deserves to be measured against the top batters in the world, not just wicketkeeper-batters like Gilchrist. He has his own unique style Pant should be recognised for what he brings to the game,” Ashwin added.

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