Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently shared his strong opinion on Rishabh Pant’s defensive abilities in Test cricket, dismissing the criticism the wicketkeeper-batsman has often faced. Ashwin, who has bowled extensively to Pant in practice sessions, believes the left-hander possesses one of the finest defensive techniques in the game today.
Pant’s Defense: An Underrated Asset
While Rishabh Pant is celebrated for his aggressive batting and audacious shot-making, his defense often flies under the radar. In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Pant scored 255 runs at an average of 28.33. However, his dismissal in the first innings of the Melbourne Test drew sharp criticism. Attempting a risky scoop shot off Scott Boland, Pant fell cheaply when India were battling at 195 for 5.
Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar labeled the shot as a poor decision, calling it outright “stupid.” Yet, Ashwin took a different stance. In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Ashwin defended Pant’s approach and offered a strong statement.
“We must realize that Rishabh Pant rarely gets out while defending. He’s got one of the best defenses in world cricket. Defense has become a challenging aspect, and he plays with soft hands. I will change my name if someone can show me Pant getting out while defending 10 times,” Ashwin said.
A Tale of Two Knocks in Sydney
Pant’s performance during the Sydney Test highlighted his resilience. In the first innings, he scored a gritty 40 runs, absorbing over 10 body blows during his stay at the crease. While this knock went largely unnoticed, it laid the groundwork for his match-saving 61-run knock in the second innings, which drew widespread praise.
Ashwin pointed out that Test cricket is about fighting it out in tough conditions. “Test cricket is never easy, and you have to fight it out. In Sydney, Pant played two contrasting knocks. He scored 40 runs in the first innings and took blows on his body. It was his least spoken innings, and that’s unfair. Everyone forgot that knock and only praised his second-innings fifty,” Ashwin added.
Also Read: James Anderson in Talks for Lancashire Comeback as He Eyes Playing at 43
What Makes Pant’s Defense Special?
Ashwin, who has bowled to Pant extensively in the nets, shared his insights into the wicketkeeper’s defensive technique. According to Ashwin, Pant rarely edges deliveries or gets trapped LBW while defending. His ability to handle pace and spin alike makes him a valuable asset in challenging conditions.
“I have bowled to him a lot in the nets. He doesn’t get out defending, he doesn’t edge, and he doesn’t get LBW. He has the best defense. One opinion about Rishabh was that he plays a lot of shots, but he has a strong defensive game too,” Ashwin remarked.
The Shift in Test Cricket’s Batting Trends
Ashwin also shed light on how batting has evolved over the years. He highlighted that batting averages in Test cricket have dipped between 2018 and 2025, making it crucial for players to adapt.
“From 2018 to 2025, batting averages have significantly decreased. Players like Joe Root, Kane Williamson, and Steve Smith have adapted well. Rishabh Pant has played in these challenging times, and his contributions should be acknowledged,” Ashwin stated.
Room for Improvement
Despite his praise, Ashwin believes Pant hasn’t fully realized his potential. He emphasized that the team management needs to provide clear instructions to Pant regarding his role in the team.
“We need to tell him clearly what the team expects from him. Whether it’s batting solidly or with intent, he should know. He has a lot of time on his hands and the ability to turn games around. He just needs to realize his full potential,” Ashwin concluded.
Rishabh Pant has played 43 Test matches so far, scoring 2,948 runs at an average of 42.11 with a strike rate of 73.62. His fearless approach has made him a key player in India’s Test setup, especially in overseas conditions. With Ashwin’s strong backing, Pant will likely continue to evolve and solidify his reputation as one of the most impactful wicketkeeper-batsmen in the world.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram
