Follow UsRishabh Pant has had a hot start to the ongoing five-match Test series against England. Across the first two Tests, the left-hander has broken numerous batting records, with 342 runs in the series, averaging 85.50, with two sizzling hundreds at Headingley.
Despite posting such incredible numbers already, former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin wanted to see more from Pant, adding that he isn’t a ‘newbie anymore’. The all-rounder also added that he wants to benchmark Pant to the standards that the left-hander has set for himself in his already impressive Test 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. Pant is not a newbie anymore. I want to benchmark Pant to his standards," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
With there being a natural comparison to Adam Gilchrist - a benchmark for attacking wicketkeepers in Tests - Ashwin doesn’t want Pant’s comparisons to be with the Australian. Ashwin insisted that Pant has a high-quality defence, better than Gilchrist, and wanted his comparison with top batters.
"He is a fabulous player. He is not Adam Gilchrist, many compare him to Gilchrist. He didn't have such a good defence. Pant has a high-quality defence. He should be compared with some of the best batters, not Gilchrist. Rishabh Pant can do Pant things," he added.
The third Test at Lord's begins on July 10 (Thursday), with the series tied apiece, at 1-1.