Rishabh Pant faced considerable criticism for his shot selection during India’s recent 1-3 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia. His reckless dismissals at crucial moments, particularly in the fourth Test, left fans questioning his approach. Despite a patient knock in Melbourne that came too late to reverse India’s fortunes, Pant’s overall performance raised doubts. However, in a surprising twist, former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has praised Pant’s defensive technique, calling it one of the best in world cricket.
Ashwin, known for his sharp analysis of the game, explained that Pant’s defensive skills are particularly difficult to breach when he chooses to play conservatively. He revealed his personal experience of bowling to Pant in the nets, where he was impressed by the wicketkeeper-batter’s ability to stay solid and composed under pressure.
“Pant rarely gets out while defending,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. “He has one of the best defences in world cricket. His defence is a challenge for bowlers; he plays with a soft hand, making it difficult to dislodge him.”
Ashwin further elaborated on his experience: “I’ve bowled to him numerous times in the nets. He doesn’t edge the ball, he doesn’t get LBWs – his defence is truly remarkable.”
Despite his defensive prowess, Pant’s performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy raised concerns. His shot selection, particularly in the second innings of the fourth Test, attracted criticism. After playing a steady knock of 30 from 103 balls, Pant was dismissed in the very next delivery while attempting an aggressive shot.
However, Pant displayed versatility in his batting approach during the fifth Test in Sydney. He delivered two contrasting innings: a patient 40 off 98 balls, followed by a quick-fire 61 from just 33 balls.
Over the course of the five-Test series, Pant accumulated 255 runs from 9 innings, with his performances often drawing a mixture of praise and scrutiny. Despite some inconsistencies, Ashwin’s endorsement of Pant’s defensive technique adds a layer of recognition to the young batter’s skill set, highlighting his potential as a well-rounded player in world cricket.
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