Should Rishabh Pant be held accountable for the IND vs SA disaster? Ravi Ashwin weighs in
The Test series against the WTC champions ended in India’s second home whitewash in a little over a year. The final IND vs SA Test in Guwahati saw the visitors make India “grovel”, sealing a massive 408-run win. Shubman Gill missed the match after injuring his neck during the Kolkata Test. In his absence, vice-captain Rishabh Pant took over the leadership duties in Guwahati. While Gautam Gambhir currently stands at the centre of scrutiny as India’s fortress crumbles, the team collectively also shares the responsibility. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant, with his questionable shot selection, has emerged as one of the major reasons behind the hosts’ poor performance, as highlighted by former India spinner Ravi Ashwin.
Ravi Ashwin calls on Rishabh Pant to take responsibility after IND vs SA series collapse
As outrage mounts against Gautam Gambhir following India’s 0-2 whitewash in the IND vs SA Test series, former India spinner Ravi Ashwin has drawn attention to another aspect of the humiliating defeat. It has been over a year since Rishabh Pant returned to Test cricket with a blistering century against Bangladesh at home. In that period, the Indian Test side has undergone a major transition, with the senior trio of Ravi Ashwin, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma stepping away from the format. This shift has effectively placed the wicketkeeper-batter among the ‘senior’ members of the set-up, especially after he was appointed Shubman Gill’s deputy in the leadership group.
After the whitewash, Gautam Gambhir was asked directly whether the India head coach was disappointed with Rishabh Pant’s performance. While the former batter avoided naming anyone specifically, he clearly took a dig at the interim captain for “playing for the gallery.” Gambhir, who continues to be viewed as the primary culprit behind India’s disastrous run in the format, lamented the batsmen’s inability to play according to the situation.
"You don't blame one individual shot. You don't blame one individual playing in a certain way. You blame everyone. So, me talking about an individual, I've never done that. I am not going to do it," Gambhir said. "The reality is, we still need to improve a lot in red ball cricket. Whether it's mentally, whether it's technically, whether it's absorbing pressure, whether it's sacrificing, whether it's putting the team ahead of your individual self. And most importantly, not playing for the gallery," he added.
Meanwhile, Ravi Ashwin has been more direct in his criticism of the wicketkeeper batter after the IND vs SA Test series. While the spinner lauded Pant’s natural batting talent, Ashwin didn’t shy away from criticising his tendency to throw his wicket away, stressing that his habit of attempting rash strokes continues to undermine his immense potential. According to Ashwin, Pant has all the qualities required to influence matches decisively, but he must shoulder greater responsibility and exercise better judgement at the crease.
"My heartbeat used to go fast in the dressing room when Rishabh Pant batted. He has a superb game and defence, so I always wonder why he would get out to shots like these. I will still say he is a very good player, and the day he takes responsibility, things can start changing. I don't deny the X-factor he brings," Ashwin said.
"But he didn't play the same way in every Test after that. Similarly, batters cannot play the same way every time. I have said it in the dressing room, but it cannot change until he realises it. If you are a captain today, 10 others will follow in your footsteps. So, responsibility is a must," he added.
Pant endured a disappointing run throughout the series, accumulating only 49 runs across four innings against the Proteas. On the third day of the must-win Guwahati Test, India appeared to be in a stable position at 95 for one in their first innings, but the situation unraveled rapidly soon after. In a matter of moments, the home side collapsed to 122 for seven, with Marco Jansen wreaking havoc through a stunning six-wicket burst. Rishabh Pant was one of the casualties during this dramatic slide. At a stage when India required composure from one of their most seasoned players, Pant stepped out for an ambitious slog, misjudged the delivery, and nicked a length ball through to the wicketkeeper.
