Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently showered praise on Rishabh Pant for his stellar performances in the ongoing Test series. According to Ashwin, comparing Pant with MS Dhoni is not appropriate. While Dhoni was a finisher who batted lower down the order, Pant plays a more central role in India’s batting lineup.
He is often expected to anchor the innings and take the game deep. Ashwin emphasized that Pant’s skillset and game awareness place him in the same league as established top-order batters like Virat Kohli. The expectation from Pant now goes beyond his explosive hitting; he’s being looked at as a proper batter who also keeps wickets, not the other way around.
Ashwin Sees Shades of Inzamam in Pant
Ashwin went on to draw an interesting comparison between Rishabh Pant and Pakistan’s legendary batter Inzamam-ul-Haq. He observed that Pant has a natural ability to judge the pace and length of the ball early, allowing him to play strokes with incredible ease. Just like Inzamam, Pant doesn’t appear hurried at the crease.
Instead, he seems in control even when facing top-quality fast bowlers. Whether it’s the late scoop, the audacious slog sweep, or the classic pull shot, Pant executes these with both flair and precision. His instinctive stroke play, especially against quick bowlers, sets him apart from many of his contemporaries.
The Next Step, Converting Tons Into Daddy Hundreds
Despite the applause for his twin centuries in the recent Test, Ashwin pointed out that Pant still has room to grow. The biggest challenge for Pant now is to convert his hundreds into double hundreds. Ashwin believes that for India to dominate in tough overseas conditions, batters like Pant need to bat longer and deeper.
Playing a big innings can help build a huge lead or chase down massive totals. In the Leeds Test, Pant’s century was commendable, but India fell short in the fourth innings while chasing a target of 371. According to Ashwin, if Pant can learn to pace his innings and avoid risky shots in red-ball cricket, he can become the backbone of India’s Test batting unit.
Rishabh Pant has already proven his worth, but now the focus shifts to consistency, maturity, and match-winning conversions. With the right approach, he could not only reshape his own legacy but also strengthen India’s Test team for years to come.
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