Following Rishabh Pant's remarkable return to form with twin centuries in the first Test against England at Leeds, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has voiced a unique request to the dynamic wicket-keeper batsman. Unlike Sunil Gavaskar, who playfully gestured for Pant to perform his trademark front-flip celebration after his second-innings century, Ashwin has urged Pant to refrain from the acrobatic display, particularly in Test matches.
Ashwin's reasoning stems from the understanding of the physical demands of Test cricket. Speaking on his YouTube channel "Ash Ki Baat," Ashwin explained that a Test match environment is far more taxing on the body compared to the shorter formats like the Indian Premier League (IPL). In Tests, players endure long hours in the field, whether batting or fielding, which leads to considerable fatigue. In contrast, IPL games involve shorter durations and, consequently, less physical strain with batsmen typically facing far fewer balls.
"I've only one request, please don't do that front flip," Ashwin stated. "In Tests, your body gets tired unlike in IPL where you will not play more than 50-60 balls. He is a bona fide top batter in the Indian lineup. So he has nothing to prove." This highlights Ashwin's concern for Pant's well-being and his belief that Pant's position as a key player in the Indian batting order is already well-established.
Pant, who has re-established himself in the Indian squad after recovering from a horrific car accident in December 2022, celebrated his first-innings century at Headingley with the front-flip. However, he refrained from repeating the celebration after his second ton, perhaps indicating an awareness of the physical toll or a conscious decision to manage his energy. Gavaskar, commentating at the time, playfully mimed the front-flip, seemingly encouraging Pant to celebrate in his characteristic style.
Ashwin's perspective differs, emphasizing the need for Pant to conserve energy and avoid unnecessary physical exertion during a grueling five-day Test. He acknowledges Pant's special talent, stating, "Rishabh has had a fabulous game as a batter. But I would like to repeat that Rishabh has got a great defence. There is not one shot in the book that he cannot play." Ashwin even suggested that Pant should aim to convert his centuries into double centuries, further cementing his role as a match-winning batsman.
Beyond the celebration, Ashwin also offered strategic advice to the Indian team, emphasizing the importance of batting deep into matches and tiring out the English bowlers. He also believes that Pant should be compared to Virat Kohli, and not M.S. Dhoni, because of Pant's higher batting position. He also urged the team management to consider including Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI for the second Test, recognizing the potential of his bowling to trouble the English batsmen. He also asked Pant to convert his hundreds into double hundreds, to help the lower order.
