'Test batter with a questionable choice of shots...' - Ravichandran Ashwin makes bold analysis about star India batter ahead of England Tests

Former legendary India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin came up with a brutal and blunt assessment while speaking about star India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. Notably, Pant will be having an extra responsibility as a vice-captain alongside being a wicketkeeper-batter in the upcoming high-octane five-match Test series against England.

It will be the first assignment for the young and transformed Team India in the new cycle of the World Test Championship in the 2025-27 period. They will be playing the under the captaincy of newly-appointed skipper Shubman Gill.

Returning to Rishabh Pant, his batting is going to play a vital role in India’s potential success on the England tour. He has been one of the match-winning performers for the Indian side in the traditional format of the game.

“It’s only a matter of time when he finds out the formula” – Ravichandran Ashwin on Rishabh Pant

Meanwhile, Ashwin had something else to say on Pant’s shot selection as a Test batter; the former off-spin great opined that the star Southpaw will find a way to equalise his technique and his blistering approach according to the demand and situation of the game for his side.

“I think Rishabh is a high-quality Test batsman. He can just walk into that team as a pedigree Test batsman even if he does not have to hold on to the gloves. Fantastic Test batter with a questionable choice of shots sometimes, but I guess he comes with it and he gives you match-winning knocks. It’s only a matter of time when he finds out the formula and rectifies it to become more consistent. He should be walking in at No. 5 as No. 6 for him would be a bit too late in my view. I would be glued to the TV set if he is batting,” said Ashwin to RevSportz in an exclusive interview.

For the record, Pant is coming off a poor run of form in the recently concluded Indian Premier League while captaining the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) franchise. In the last Test appearance against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia, he could score only 255 runs in nine innings, with a ‘not-so-impressive’ batting average of 28.33.