Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has offered an in-depth perspective on Rishabh Pant’s development as a Test cricketer, calling for a more nuanced understanding of the wicketkeeper-batter’s role and capabilities. In particular, Ashwin urged that Pant be evaluated on his own merit and compared to the best Test batters in the world, rather than being constantly likened to former Australian great Adam Gilchrist.
Ashwin believes that while Pant’s fearless style makes him a crowd favourite, his true potential lies in blending aggression with greater situational awareness and match sense. “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.
Since making his Test debut, the 27-year-old Pant has evolved into one of India’s most influential players in the longest format. His ability to score under pressure, particularly in testing overseas conditions, has often shifted the momentum in India’s favour. Whether it’s a counter-attacking hundred or a quick-fire cameo, Pant has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to turn the tide of a match with the bat in hand.
A testament to his growing stature is the recent milestone he achieved—becoming the first Asian wicketkeeper-batter to score 2,000 Test runs in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia), a feat that highlights both his consistency and adaptability in foreign conditions.
Among his many standout performances, Pant’s twin centuries at Leeds, remain especially notable. He became only the second wicketkeeper after Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower to score hundreds in both innings of a Test at the venue. He backed up that achievement with a blistering 65 off just 58 balls in the second innings at Edgbaston, an innings that helped India to a dominant 336-run win and leveled the series.
Ashwin, while appreciating Pant’s natural flair and bold shot selection, emphasized the importance of maturing into a player who understands when to accelerate and when to consolidate.
“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,” Ashwin added.
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