'Adam Gilchrist didn’t have this...': Rishabh Pant draws massive praise from Ashwin

Rishabh Pant has been in top form in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between India and England. With two centuries and one half-century in just two Tests, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter has scored 342 runs so far, making him the third-highest run-getter in the series with three matches remaining.

Pant created history in the first Test at Headingley by scoring hundreds in both innings of the first Test, becoming only the second wicketkeeper after Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower to achieve this feat in Test cricket. In the second Test at Edgbaston, Pant scored a quick 65 off 58 balls to help India build a strong lead in the second innings.

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Ashwin says Rishabh Pant is better Adam Gilchrist

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has now praised Pant, saying he should not be compared to legendary Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist. Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat, Ashwin said that Pant is a far better batsman than Gilchrist and that he should be compared with the best in the business.

“I want to benchmark Rishabh Pant as per standard of Rishabh Pant. He is a fabulous player. He is not Adam Gilchrist. Many people compare him with Adam Gilchrist. Adam Gilchrist didn’t have this good defense. Rishabh Pant has a high quality of defense. Rishabh Pant should be compared with some of the best batters not to be compared with Adam Gilchrist. Adam Gilchrist is a fine batter. He was a very good glove man who took games away batting at seven. Rishabh pant is batting at number five. Rishabh Pant can do Pant things,” Ashwin said.

Ashwin also expressed his wish to see Pant convert his aggressive starts into big hundreds. He advised Pant not to take baits from bowlers and play his shots only after looking at the field placements. Ashwin also mentioned how former India coach Ravi Shastri talked about the same problem while doing commentary in the ongoing series.

“I don’t want Rishabh Pant to play like Shubman Gill. But I want that constraint and restraint from Rishabh. When you cast a fishing net, the fish also knows that it’s a risk, but why does it come because there is a bait. Rishabh Pant then bats and what Shoaib Bashir does, he throws it outside, he keeps long on behind. I want to see Rishabh hit, I also want that entertainment, but I also want him to make a fool of the bowler. You know what’s the plan, his mind is in the plan. Don’t get trapped. Hit something else. Like Ravi bhai said, if you don’t have the field for reverse sweep, then hit there. Don’t go into a trap. I really want that. I want to see Rishabh Pant batting on 143 and how he is making a 200. If Rishabh Pant bats like that, India can declare the innings at any time,” Ashwin added.

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The third Test match is scheduled to take place at the Lord’s Ground starting Thursday, 10 July.