Rishabh Pant’s Team India lost by a record margin in the 2nd Test in Guwahati. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath) Ravichandran Ashwin didn’t hold back on his YouTube channel after India’s 2-0 Test series defeat against South Africa, using a scathing analysis of Rishabh Pant’s first-innings appeal in Guwahati to question the stand-in captain’s judgment and responsibility. Reflecting on the record loss – India’s biggest by runs – Ashwin said he avoided bringing up the subject but “had to go there” after seeing Pant fall for a needless run after the visitors had piled up 489. As Dhruv Jurel went to bat, Ashwin claimed the moment required restraint from the captain.
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“Pant is a solid batsman and we have spent years championing his style,” he said. “But you’re the captain in this situation. You want to be the leader of three formats? You can, you’ve got the talent. But then you blindly swing at Marc Jansen and get caught. Where’s the responsibility? A coach can’t hold the bat and go out there for you.”Check out what Ashwin had to say here The veteran spinner’s frustration has been reflected in the wider scrutiny that has now followed Pant into the white ball of the tournament, where his place in the playing eleven is no longer guaranteed. India head into the first ODI juggling Ranchi’s selection conundrums, particularly around the wicket-middle-order combination. The central question that arises is whether KL Rahul and Pant can both fit into the side if Rahul keeps the wickets. Pant’s delivery style has become a flashpoint, but his left-handed presence remains valuable in an otherwise heavy batting order. Playing both would require sacrificing depth either at No. 7 or in the versatile slot. This slot itself is a knife edge call between Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Washington offers control and comparative value; Nitish brings the seams and medium pace. The two contrasting templates pose a tough challenge for the selectors as they consider the Ranchi conditions and the need for balance.
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Bowling coach Morne Morkel summed up the underlying theme that selection may ultimately be about what the ball does under the lights – but the questions raised by Ashwin will be far beyond this series.Despite the disappointing Tests, the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will headline the ODIs and after a series of ODI defeats against Australia in early October, the Men in Blue will be looking to get back to winning ways.
