"Batters cannot play the same way every time," Ravi Ashwin lambasts Rishabh Pant for poor show against South Africa

Ravi Ashwin held Rishabh Pant accountable for not taking the responsibility.

The former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has criticised Rishabh Pant for his ultra-attacking approach in test cricket. Pant, who was the stand-in captain for India in the second test against South Africa, got out trying to play an explosive shot in the first innings when India needed him to grind.

India lost the second test in Guwahati by a mammoth 408-run margin, which helped South Africa seal the series 2-0 and inflict a whitewash. This is only the second time South Africa have won a test series in India with their first test series win coming under Hansie Cronje in 2000.

Ravi Ashwin wants Rishabh Pant to take responsibility

The veteran off-spinner has faulted Rishabh Pant’s shot selection as the main factor behind his underwhelming performance against South Africa in the two-match test series. Pant could only score 49 runs across four innings in the two test matches.

“My heartbeat used to go fast in the dressing room when Rishabh Pant batted. He has a superb game and defence, 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.”

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“Batters cannot play the same way everytime”- Ravi Ashwin

Ashwin, on his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat, referred to the former New Zealand batter Nathan Astle and pointed out that his double century in Christchurch cannot be the ideal way of batting in every test match. The 39-year-old demands a more measured approach from the swashbuckling left-hander.

“Astle once smashed 200-odd runs, but he didn’t play the same way in every Test. Similarly, batters cannot play the same way every time. I have said it in the dressing room, but it cannot change until he realises it,” said Ashwin.

Ashwin also emphasised the role of a leader and how Pant must take the responsibility. “If you are a captain today, 10 others will follow in your footsteps. Responsibility is a must,” he concluded.

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