Pant’s Record-Breaking Start to the England Test Series
Rishabh Pant has kicked off the ongoing five-match Test series against England in spectacular fashion. In the first two Tests, the dynamic left-hander has smashed 342 runs at an impressive average of 85.50, including two electrifying centuries at Headingley. His aggressive yet calculated batting has not only thrilled fans but also rewritten several records along the way.
Despite Pant’s red-hot form, former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes there’s still more to come from the wicketkeeper-batter. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said he doesn’t see Pant as a “newbie” anymore and expects him to continue evolving as a top-tier Test cricketer. He emphasized that Pant should be judged by the high standards he has already set in his career.
“I would like to see Rishabh Pant achieve his potential. We want him to entertain us, but he can do that and show restraint when needed,” Ashwin said. “Pant is not a newbie anymore. I want to benchmark Pant to his standards.”
Ashwin on Pant-Gilchrist Comparisons: “He Deserves Better”
With many fans and experts drawing comparisons between Pant and former Australian legend Adam Gilchrist, Ashwin had a different take. While acknowledging Gilchrist’s explosive legacy, Ashwin believes Pant brings something unique to the table—especially his defensive technique, which he considers superior.
“He is a fabulous player. He is not Adam Gilchrist—many compare him to Gilchrist. He didn’t have such a good defence,” Ashwin added. “Pant has a high-quality defence. He should be compared with some of the best batters, not Gilchrist. Rishabh Pant can do Pant things.”
The third Test is set to begin on Thursday, July 10 at Lord’s, with the series evenly poised at 1-1. As India looks to gain an edge, all eyes will be on Pant to continue his stellar form and possibly take his game to an even higher level.
