Chennai [India]: Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has hailed wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant as one of the finest defenders in world cricket. Despite a challenging Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, Pant displayed glimpses of his brilliance with the bat, earning praise for his versatility and resilience.
Mixed Performances in Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Pant’s performances during the series were a mixed bag. While he initially came under scrutiny for poor shot selection and losing his wicket cheaply, the final Test showcased his adaptability. In the fourth match of the series, he contributed a gritty 40 off 98 balls in the first innings, followed by an explosive 33-ball 61 in the second. At Melbourne, he demonstrated remarkable composure with a patient knock of 30 off 104 balls during a challenging run chase of 340 runs.
Ashwin’s Insight into Pant’s Defence
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin lauded Pant’s defensive technique, stating that it is among the best in the game. “Pant rarely gets out while defending. His ability to play with soft hands and his impeccable technique make his defence world-class,” said Ashwin. He also noted that in practice sessions, Pant seldom gets out to leg-before-wicket or edges the ball, further underlining his strong fundamentals.
Ashwin added, “I have bowled to him extensively in the nets. He doesn’t get out, doesn’t edge, or miss the ball often. His defence is solid. One of the opinions about Rishabh is that he plays too many shots, but he has shown he can adapt and fight it out in Test cricket.”
Pant’s Series Stats
Across the five-match series, Pant scored 255 runs in nine innings at an average of 28.33 and a strike rate of 59.02. His performances included one half-century, and he finished as the sixth-highest run-scorer of the series.
India’s Series Loss and WTC Hopes Dashed
India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 1-3 after falling to a six-wicket defeat in the final Test in Sydney. With this loss, India was officially eliminated from contention for the ICC World Test Championship final, with Australia and South Africa securing their spots at Lord’s in June next year.
Conclusion
While the series did not go in India’s favor, Pant’s ability to showcase two contrasting styles of batting has drawn attention. His blend of aggression and defensive solidity reflects his growing maturity as a Test cricketer, and Ashwin’s words further underline his potential to excel in the longest format of the game.
