Rishabh Pant has become one of India’s biggest match-winners in Test cricket, thanks to his attacking style. The wicketkeeper-batter often takes on bowlers and has produced important innings in both home and overseas conditions. His aggressive approach can quickly change the direction of a Test match and put the opposition under pressure.
However, R Ashwin believes Pant can become an even better player. The former India spinner wants him to improve his shot selection and understand match situations more clearly. Ashwin is not asking Pant to stop attacking.
Instead, he wants him to know when to take risks and when to stay patient for the team. Ashwin shared these views after Pant scored 168 runs in the two-Test IND vs SL 2026 Test Series.
R Ashwin Questions Pant’s Shot Selection
Ashwin’s concern is Pant’s decision-making. He feels Pant sometimes takes unnecessary risks even when India are in control, instead of carefully choosing the right moment to attack.
Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin explained why he expects more from Pant.
“My expectation from Rishabh Pant hasn’t been fulfilled till now. I am very sorry. Sonal Dinusha had his strike rate up there. But the difference is high-risk options. When you have the game in your hand, these are all statements: ‘That’s how Rishabh plays.’ It is about what your team needs,” Ashwin said.
Ashwin wants Pant to keep attacking but make better choices before taking risks. A big shot can bring quick runs, but it can also help the opposition regain control. During the Sri Lanka series, Lahiru Kumara hit Pant on the wrist in Colombo, forcing him to retire hurt.
Pant returned the next day and immediately resumed his attacking style, hitting a six. Ashwin believes such moments show why Pant needs to read the situation before playing risky shots.
Pant Has Already Shown What He Can Do
Despite Ashwin’s criticism, Pant’s Test record shows how important he is for India. In 52 Tests, he has scored 3,725 runs at an average of 43.82, with 21 fifties and eight centuries.
His impact becomes even clearer in overseas Tests, where Pant has played several match-changing innings. His attacking batting has often helped India put pressure on bowlers and change the momentum of games.
Ashwin also accepts Pant’s ability to produce special innings. He used Pant’s famous performances in Australia to explain that Test wins still require contributions from the entire team.
“Rishabh played a class knock in Sydney and Brisbane, but you couldn’t have won that match without Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur. It takes 11 cricketers to build a Test and win it in the last session of the game, but it takes only one moment of foolishness to lose a Test,” he added.
Ashwin’s message is that one great innings cannot win a Test by itself. Every player has a role to play.
For Pant, that role may sometimes require him to attack. At other times, India may need him to stay at the crease and build the innings.
Pant Has Faced Similar Criticism Before
This is not the first time Pant has faced criticism for his shot selection.
During the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, former India captain and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar strongly reacted after Pant lost his wicket while playing an attacking shot.
Gavaskar famously said:
“Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.”
The reaction showed the frustration that can come when Pant gets out after doing the difficult work of building an innings.
However, the criticism does not mean Pant should completely change his style.
His aggression remains a major part of his success. India would not want him to become a completely defensive batter.
Instead, the message from former players is that Pant needs to add another skill to his game.
He needs to understand when aggression can help India and when it can hurt the team.
Ashwin Wants Pant to Play According to the Situation
Pant’s ability to surprise the opposition makes him dangerous. He can attack spin, pace and even good balls. He can change a match very quickly.
But Ashwin believes Pant needs to make better decisions when the match reaches an important stage.
Ashwin also made it clear that he was not criticising Pant as a player. He was talking about specific moments when Pant takes unnecessary risks.
“I am just talking about the times when these chances are being taken when the game is on the line. I love Rishabh the player. It is about playing situations in this format,” he said.
This is an important part of Ashwin’s argument.
He is not asking Pant to stop being aggressive. He wants Pant to read the match before deciding how aggressive he needs to be.
If India need quick runs, Pant can attack. If India need stability, he should be able to defend and stay at the crease.
That balance could make him even more dangerous.
Check the full scoreboard of the IND vs SL Test Series 2026 HERE
R Ashwin Says Pant Should Not Get Special Treatment
R Ashwin also believes Pant should face the same expectations as other senior players.
Pant has now played more than 50 Tests. With that experience, Ashwin feels he should take greater responsibility for his decisions.
Before making this point, Ashwin explained why India should not lower their expectations for special players.
“Don’t give one player special treatment. This once-in-a-generation player backing, then give it to everyone. Jaiswal is also such a player. All I’m saying, Rishabh, is that he is experienced; he has played 50 Tests. He needs to take responsibility.”
Ashwin also compared Pant with Virender Sehwag and Adam Gilchrist.
Both Sehwag and Gilchrist became famous for their attacking approach. They changed the way teams viewed Test batting.
However, they also knew how to build an innings and understand the match situation.
Ashwin believes Pant can develop that same quality.
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R Ashwin Believes Pant Can Become Better
Ashwin’s comments may sound harsh, but they also show how highly he rates Pant.
Pant has already proved that he can win matches for India. His Test record, overseas performances and attacking style have made him one of India’s most important players.
Now, Ashwin wants him to add better situational awareness to his game.
Pant already knows how to attack. He already has the confidence to play difficult shots. What he needs now is better judgment about when to use those shots.
If Pant learns when to attack, when to defend and when to simply stay at the crease, he can become a more complete Test batter.
Ashwin summed up his belief in Pant’s potential with a strong statement.
“The day you tell him the truth, he will be an all-format player for India,” Ashwin said.
The message is not for Pant to give up his natural game.
Instead, Ashwin wants him to make his aggression more controlled.
Pant has already shown that he can change Test matches with his bat. Now, the challenge is to understand when the team needs his attacking game and when it needs him to show patience.
If he finds that balance, Pant could become even more valuable to India.
His ability to change games is already clear. Adding better decision-making to that ability could make him an even more complete and reliable Test batter.
What do you think? Are Ashwin’s comments valid for Pant’s shot selection? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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