R. Ashwin Hails Rishabh Pant, Seeks Tactical Tweaks to Best Leverage His Strokes

The cricketer in whom the baton of glory Indian cricketing passes to, went to lavish his praises on Rishabh Pant in which he hails Rishabh as endowed with the massive talent by saying that once the method he employs is refined, he becomes good enough for consistently churning out match-winning performances. Speaking on January 10, 2025, in New Delhi, Ashwin spoke of Pant's extra-ordinary abilities and his single-handed transformation of games but feels that a more balanced approach will take him even higher.

The Cricketing Art of Balance

Ashwin said the "middle game" is a term he uses to describe the balance between calculated aggression and responsible play. Ashwin says Pant has a knack of dominating any bowling attack with his fearless stroke play and quick reflexes, but some of his shots are high-risk ones that sometimes get him out at the wrong moment.

"If he puts it all together, he will get 100 every game," Ashwin said of Pant. In that sense, Ashwin was expressing his thought that Pant, if he reins in his headstrong nature, can be the best century scorer in the country.

One of the Best Defenses in World Cricket

First impressions made by Ashwin regarding Pant were "masterly defence". According to Ashwin, Rishabh Pant has "one of the best defences in world cricket". In a game where finishes are made with loud shots and aggressive games, his statement brought to light the less known element in Pant's skillset-their robust defensive abilities that might lay the groundwork for much more reliable performances.

The spin maestro feels that the defensive game can be the base of his development as a batsman. Relying on his ability to ward off the tough deliveries and picking the right moments to take the attack forward, Pant might just establish himself as one of the best batsmen of this generation.

Match-Winning Maverick

Pant is the man who can win the game for a team on his own. His efforts have come from playing those match-defining innings against the best bowling attacks, and some unbelievable victories in India's last couple of years of success. Ashwin called it an ability which he describes Pant as "maverick," turning the games on their head.

The but is that Ashwin, too, said that Pant's profligacy-that is, attempting insane shots even when the match hinges on the shot-generally puts him out of the game frivolously. "Many of his shots are high-risk," Ashwin said, adding that the young cricketer's aggressiveness sometimes means he lets go of a lot of promise to play sense proper cricket.

Scope for Improvement and Maturity-

International Cricket has already witnessed some magical performances from the shoulders of young Rishabh Pant, who has barely crossed 27 years of age. Having spoken about his heroics during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar series against Australia, Pant has consistently delivered for the IPL teams. "He has yet to tap into his complete potential," believes Ashwin.

The veteran cricketer felt that a bit of introspection and tactical readjustment would make him a lot more dangerous a player. Curb his impulsiveness, choose better options out there on the field, and Pant can get to that level of consistency where people would say it's one for the legends.

A Mentor's View

Ashwin's observations also come not from a teammate only but from a veteran player who can see the peaks and troughs of international cricket. His takes give valuable information on where the improvement lies as well as, at the same time, what incredible talent sits in Pant's corner.

As big as Pant compares to other great wicket-keeper-batty legends: MS Dhoni and Adam Gilchrist, Rishabh will carve out something of his own, believes Ashwin. So, with flair, power, and technique at his disposal, Pant has every ingredient to remake the role for a modern wicket-keeper-batter.

Rishabh Pant's Road Ahead

As Pant grew to be a cricketer who would know so much more of cricket, probably would his story be one of thrills in triumph and tangles in distress. Words by Ashwin might testify so much for the extraordinary quality of Pant and yet warn gently for the effort involved.

The cricketing world has glimpsed brilliance in Pant, but it is just yet to see more from the promising player. With Ashwin having said the best is yet to come, he will indeed bring that under various circumstances if Pant manages to direct all his aggression toward well-timed bursts and keeps relying on perfect defense for some respite against the storm.

Rishabh Pant epitomizes the future of Indian cricket: vibrant, fearless, and supremely talented. It is only now, with the correct guidance from cricketers such as R. Ashwin and an intent to sharpen his game, that Pant has the best opportunity of reaching his best and becoming an integral part of Indian cricket in the years ahead.