10-Jan-2025, 12:38 PM
Ravichandran Ashwin recently praised Rishabh Pant for possessing “one of the best defences in world cricket,” a statement that highlights the wicketkeeper-batter’s exceptional defensive technique despite a challenging performance during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Pant’s series was marked by inconsistency; he scored only 255 runs across nine innings, averaging 28.33, with just one half-century. However, Ashwin focused on Pant’s defensive skills, noting that he rarely gets dismissed while defending the ball. In a discussion on his YouTube channel, Ashwin emphasized that Pant’s defensive technique is characterized by a “soft hand,” which allows him to avoid edges and leg-before-wicket dismissals in the nets. He said, “I have bowled to him a lot in the nets; he has not gotten out, he doesn’t get an edge, he does not get LBW”.
During the final Test at Sydney, Pant demonstrated his versatility by scoring a resilient 40 off 98 balls in the first innings and then exploding for a quickfire 61 off just 33 balls in the second innings. Ashwin pointed out that while the second innings garnered much praise, Pant’s first innings performance was equally commendable and deserved recognition. He remarked that it was “unfair” that the first innings knock went largely unnoticed amid the excitement surrounding Pant’s explosive second innings.
Despite his defensive prowess, Ashwin noted that Pant needs to find a balance between defense and aggression in Test cricket. He urged Pant to work on this aspect to fully realize his potential as a player. Ashwin believes that if Pant combines his defensive skills with his attacking play, he could consistently score significant runs. Ashwin claimed, “If he combines all of it, he will score 100 runs every game,” 12. Pant’s journey in international cricket has been notable; he has accumulated nearly 3,000 runs in Test matches at an average exceeding. However, critics have pointed out his tendency to play rash shots leading to unnecessary dismissals during crucial moments. As he continues to develop his game, Ashwin’s insights serve as valuable guidance for Pant to harness his full potential on the international stage.
