Indian cricket’s legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes that if Rishabh Pant strikes the right balance between his offensive and defensive game, he can score a century in every match. Ashwin praised Pant’s ability to change the course of a match but also said that his risky shots sometimes do not allow him to perform to his full potential.
Sydney Test: A unique example of Pant’s game
In the recently concluded Sydney Test, Pant presented a brilliant example of both aspects of his game.
- First innings: Scored 40 runs in 98 balls while batting defensively.
- Second innings: Scored the second fastest half-century in Test cricket for India in 33 balls.
However, one of Pant’s mistakes in the Melbourne Test was also the subject of discussion, when one of his wrong shots led to India’s defeat.
Ashwin’s analysis: It is important to maintain balance
Ashwin discussed Rishabh Pant’s batting in depth on his YouTube channel. He said:
“We need to tell Pant how to do it the right way if he has to bat solidly or play with some intent.”
he adds:
- Pant has not scored big runs many times, but it is not that he cannot score runs.
- They still have time to realize their full potential.
Ashwin believes:
- Pant has a full range of reverse sweep, slog sweep, and other attacking shots.
- But his biggest challenge is to avoid risky shots.
- If he can face 200 balls using his defensive technique, he can score big scores consistently.
Pant’s defensive technique: his strongest point
Ashwin praised Pant’s defensive technique a lot.
He said:
“Pant rarely gets out while batting defensively. He has one of the best defensive techniques in world cricket.”
Performance at the nets:
- Ashwin explained that while bowling against Pant in the nets:
- The ball does not take the edge of his bat.
- He is not LBW.
- His defensive technique is so strong that he has the ability to score big runs.
Sydney Test: two opposite innings
Ashwin said that Pant’s two innings in the Sydney Test were completely different from each other.
- First innings:
- Pant scored 40 runs while playing in defensive style.
- This innings was not discussed much.
- Second innings:
- He scored a quick half-century in an aggressive style, after which everyone praised him.
Ashwin says that both the innings were equally important, but often the aggressive game is appreciated more.
Ashwin’s message for Pant
Ashwin said that Pant’s main issue is to create balance.
- If he finds the right balance between offensive and defensive play, he can score a century in every match.
- Pant should rely on his defensive technique and use it more often.
