R Ashwin made a bold statement about Rishabh Pant recently. He believes Pant has grown into a world-class cricket player. Ashwin thinks people should stop referring to Pant as a newcomer.
Rishabh Pant used to be that crazy young guy who hit everything. He would try to smash every ball out of the ground. Sometimes it worked, but other times he got out cheaply.
Pant Has Grown Up as a Player
Now Pant thinks before he plays his shots in matches. He waits for the right ball to attack instead of going wild. His coaches have helped him understand when to take risks.
Ashwin has watched Pant change his approach over the past few years. The wicketkeeper doesn’t play those dangerous shots as much anymore. He builds his innings slowly and then speeds up later.
Also Read: ‘Time chala gaya’: Evolution of Ravindra Jadeja From a Rockstar to a Respected Elder Brother
In his early days, Pant would get out trying silly shots. Fans used to get frustrated watching him throw away his wicket. But now he plays much smarter cricket in Test matches.
The best part is that Pant still hits boundaries when needed. He hasn’t lost his natural attacking style completely. He just uses it at the right moments now.
Why Comparing with Other Wicketkeepers Is Wrong
Ashwin believes people shouldn’t compare Pant only with other wicketkeepers. He thinks Pant deserves comparison with the best batters in cricket. His batting skills are too good for just wicketkeeper comparisons.
Adam Gilchrist was a great wicketkeeper-batsman from Australia many years back. People often compare Pant with Gilchrist because both kept wickets. But Ashwin says this comparison doesn’t make complete sense.
“People often compare him with Gilchrist, but he’s not. Gilchrist was a very good gloveman who took games away batting at No.7. But Pant is batting at No.5 and things are very different,” Ashwin said.
The Indian wicketkeeper faces different challenges than Gilchrist did back then. Modern cricket requires different skills and mental strength from players. Pant has adapted well to today’s game requirements.
Also Read: BREAKING: Phil Salt Clears the Bat Size Investigation by ACU, No Action will be Taken
Pant’s Defense Skills Surprise Everyone
Ashwin praises Pant’s defensive technique in Test cricket matches. He says Pant can block difficult balls better than Gilchrist could. This defensive ability helps India win longer format games.
“Adam Gilchrist didn’t have this kind of defence. Pant has a high-quality defence. He should be compared with some of the best batters in the world, not just wicketkeepers,” he added.
Pant scored big centuries against England in the current series. His innings helped India stay competitive in tough match situations. These performances prove his batting quality beyond wicketkeeping duties.
Also Read: BREAKING: Deepti Sharma Withdraws from The Hundred 2025 for Workload Management
The Test series between India and England stands tied currently. Both teams have won one match each so far. Pant’s future performances will decide India’s chances of winning.
