Following Rishabh Pant's twin centuries in the first Test against England at Headingley, veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has offered his insights and analysis, sparking discussions around Pant's batting approach and his place in the Indian line-up. Ashwin has made several noteworthy points, including comparisons to cricketing legends and a specific request regarding Pant's celebrations.
One of the central themes of Ashwin's analysis is the inappropriateness of comparing Pant to MS Dhoni. Ashwin argues that Dhoni, who primarily batted lower down the order, had a different role compared to Pant, who usually bats at No. 5. According to Ashwin, Pant should instead be compared to Virat Kohli, emphasizing that Pant is a "mainstream batter" with exceptional talent and time to play his shots. He sees Pant as a "batter-keeper" rather than a "keeper-batter" like Dhoni, highlighting the difference in their primary roles within the team.
Ashwin has also drawn parallels between Pant and Pakistani great Inzamam-ul-Haq, particularly regarding their ability to read the game and pick the ball early. He noted that Pant possesses a rare skill to quickly assess the line and length of a delivery, allowing him to get into advantageous positions.
While praising Pant's recent performance, Ashwin has urged the team management, particularly coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill, to encourage Pant to convert his centuries into double centuries. He believes that with the lower order not contributing significantly, it is crucial for Pant to take responsibility and aim for bigger scores. Ashwin feels that Pant has the potential to dominate the opposition and set imposing targets, especially against what he considers an "average" England attack. He emphasized that extending batting time, rather than just focusing on scoring runs, is key to India's success in the series.
In a lighter vein, Ashwin has made a special request to Pant, urging him to avoid his trademark front flip celebration in Test matches. He explained that Test cricket is physically demanding, and such celebrations could lead to unnecessary strain and fatigue. Ashwin pointed out that unlike in the IPL, where players face fewer deliveries, Test cricket requires sustained effort over five days, making it essential to conserve energy.
Beyond individual performances, Ashwin has also discussed India's overall strategy in the Test series. He stressed the importance of batting deep into the match and setting challenging targets for England. He cautioned against making drastic changes to the team and emphasized the need to adapt tactically to counter England's aggressive approach. He also advocated for the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav in the second Test, believing that the wrist-spinner could prove to be a game-changer.
