- By Vishal Pushkar
- Thu, 26 Jun 2025 04:42 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been among the few cricketers who express their candidly and regularly through their official social media accounts. Despite being a part of the TNPL (Tamil Nadu Premier League), an active T20 tournament, Ashwin takes time to analyse Indian cricket as the Shubman Gill-led is currently facing England in a five-match series.
Ashwin, who has shared considerable amount of time in the field with Rishabh Pant, was full of praise after his recent exploits at Headingley.
Lauding the twin centuries by Pant, Ashwin said comparing him to Mahendra Singh Dhoni was not appropriate, as the latter never batted at the reasonably high No. 5 position.
"... Rishabh Pant should be compared with the likes of Virat Kohli...He is a mainstream batter. Because he has got so much time...," he said.
Ashwin compared Pant's ability to pick a delivery with Pakistani great Inzamam-ul-Haq.
"...some of these special batters have that knack of picking the ball early. They pick the line quickly, pick the length quickly and they get into lovely positions. Rishabh Pant is one of those rare players who has got that special skill," he said.
Hailing Pant's twin centuries as a rare feat, Ashwin suggested that the wicketkeeper-batter should look to stretch those efforts further.
"Rishabh has had a fabulous game as a batter. But I would like to repeat that Rishabh has got a great defence. There is not one shot in the book that he cannot play...
"Can I request you to make a double 100 next time when you're batting at 130? Because, you know that lower order doesn't mean more contribution. So, in your situation, I request you to please take the team to the last day."
He also requested Pant to avoid his now famous front flips especially in Tests.
"I've only one request, please don't do that front flip. In Tests, your body gets tired unlike in IPL where you will not play more than 50-60 balls. He is a bona fide top batter in the Indian lineup. So he has nothing to prove."
Inputs from PTI
