Published: Jun 26, 2025, 03:51 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 26, 2025, 03:51 PM (IST)
India should focus on extending their batting time and Rishabh pant must convert his hundreds into double centuries against an “average” England attack in the ongoing Test series, said senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in his detailed post-mortem of the team’s five-wicket loss in the lung-opener at Leeds.
Despite five centuries from their batters across both innings, India allowed England to chase their second highest target of 371 to concede a 0-1 lead in the five-match series.
“One thing that the Indian team’s batting can focus on is in every innings, can you extend your batting with time — not by runs. Increase the amount of time England is fielding and increase the amount of time you keep them on the field,”Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’.
“I will say one thing don’t panic and change drastically. India could and might level the series in the next Test. But if we don’t understand the tactics England are using, this series could very well go away from us quickly.”
Lauding the twin centuries by Pant, Ashwin said comparing him to Mahendra Singh Dhoni was not appropriate, as the latter never batted at the reasonably high No. 5 position. “Rishabh Pant should be compared with the likes of Virat Kohli…He is a mainstream batter. Because he has got so much time,” he said.
Ashwin compared Pant’s ability to pick a delivery with Pakistani great Inzamam-ul-Haq. “some of these special batters have that knack of picking the ball early. They pick the line quickly, pick the length quickly and they get into lovely positions. Rishabh Pant is one of those rare players who has got that special skill,” he said.
Hailing Pant’s twin centuries as a rare feat, Ashwin suggested that the wicketkeeper-batter should look to stretch those efforts further.
“Rishabh has had a fabulous game as a batter. But I would like to repeat that Rishabh has got a great defence. There is not one shot in the book that he cannot play. Can I request you to make a double 100 next time when you’re batting at 130? Because, you know that lower order doesn’t mean more contribution. So, in your situation, I request you to please take the team to the last day.”
He also requested Pant to avoid his now famous front flips especially in Tests. “I’ve only one request, please don’t do that front flip. In Tests, your body gets tired unlike in IPL where you will not play more than 50-60 balls. He is a bona fide top batter in the Indian lineup. So he has nothing to prove.”
