Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Ashwin Questions Pant’s High-Risk Test Match Decisions and Accountability
Rishabh Pant is an Indian cricketer who often plays very attacking shots.
He scored 168 runs when India played a Test series against Sri Lanka.
He made two half-centuries and returned to bat after hurting his wrist in Colombo.
Ravichandran Ashwin said Pant is talented but does not always choose the safest or smartest shot.
Ashwin believes Pant should look at the match situation before deciding whether to attack or defend.
He said famous players should not receive special treatment.
Ashwin also said Test wins depend on the whole team, not just one star.
He compared Pant with attacking players such as Virender Sehwag and Adam Gilchrist.
Ashwin believes Pant can become a more complete player by combining aggression with responsibility.
Rishabh Pant scored 168 runs in three innings during India’s 1-0 Test-series win over Sri Lanka.
Pant made two half-centuries, including 63 from 89 balls after returning from a wrist injury in Colombo.
Ravichandran Ashwin said Pant’s high-risk shot selection and situational awareness fell short of expectations.
Ashwin rejected special treatment for players labeled “once-in-a-generation” talents and urged Pant to take responsibility.
Ashwin said Pant’s memorable Sydney and Brisbane innings also depended on contributions from Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur and the wider team.
- Who
- Ravichandran Ashwin criticized India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant; sports journalist Vimal Kumar defended the view that Pant is a once-in-a-generation player.
- What
- Ashwin said Pant needs better shot selection, situational awareness and responsibility in Test cricket.
- When
- Ashwin made the comments after India’s recently concluded two-Test series against Sri Lanka.
- Where
- The comments were made on Ashwin’s YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat; the series included a second Test in Colombo.
- Why
- Ashwin said Pant’s high-risk decisions can endanger India when matches are in critical situations, despite his attacking ability.
Ashwin’s Accountability Argument
Pant’s Exceptional-Player Defense
Special treatment
Ashwin’s Accountability Argument
Ashwin said Pant should not receive special treatment because he is described as a “once-in-a-generation” player, adding that Yashasvi Jaiswal could also be described that way.
Pant’s Exceptional-Player Defense
Vimal Kumar described Pant as a once-in-a-generation player, emphasizing his rare match-winning ability and distinctive value.
Risk-taking in Tests
Ashwin’s Accountability Argument
Ashwin argued that Pant must rein in high-risk shots when India is trailing or the match is on the line and adapt his approach to the team’s needs.
Pant’s Exceptional-Player Defense
Pant’s attacking style has produced memorable performances, including his innings in Sydney and Brisbane during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Individual impact versus teamwork
Ashwin’s Accountability Argument
Ashwin said Pant’s contributions in Sydney and Brisbane were important but India could not have won without Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur and the wider team.
Pant’s Exceptional-Player Defense
Pant’s supporters can point to his Sydney and Brisbane performances as evidence that he can change the course of important Test matches.
- Pant’s series runs
- 168 runs in three innings
- Pant’s series average
- 56
- Pant’s Colombo innings
- 63 runs from 89 deliveries, including six fours and two sixes, after returning from a wrist injury
- Series-leading scorer
- Sonal Dinusha scored 420 runs in four innings, including three centuries
- Series result
- India won the Test series 1-0
- World Test Championship standing
- India remained fifth with 64 points and a 51.52% points percentage
- Ashwin’s comparisons
- Ashwin cited Virender Sehwag and Adam Gilchrist as attacking batters who also played according to match situations
