Legendary India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin remarked that Rishabh Pant needs to take up responsibility and bat according to the situation after he got dismissed cheaply in both the innings against South Africa in the second Test. Ashwin was left disappointed with Pant's reckless shot selection and stated that even though he is a "very good player", things won;t change until he starts playing more responsibly.
Notably, Pant got dismissed for scores of 7 and 13 in the first and second innings respectively. His first game as India's Test skipper didn't go quite as planned as not only did the team lose by a mammoth 408-run margin, but also suffered a series whitewash by 2-0.
“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. Nathan Astle once smashed 200-odd runs in Christchurch," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
“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.
Ashwin left disappointed with India's display in 2nd Test
Ashwin further expressed his disappointment on how the Indian team weren't really able to give a fight to South Africa and didn't even take the game into the final session of the fifth day. He feels that all the players in the team should take accountability for the series loss.
“I wasn’t sad about losing the Test, but there was no fight. This pitch was also of Test quality. I would’ve been happy had they taken it to the last session and lost. I understand a leader should take responsibility, but in the dressing room, everyone should raise their hands individually and take that accountability," Ashwin further stated.
India to face South Africa in ODIs next
Meanwhile, Team India will now be shifting their focus to white-ball cricket as they have a three-match ODI series and five-match T20I series against South Africa coming up. The one-day assignment will begin from November 30 and December 9 respectively.