Ashwin Urges Gambhir and Gill to Mentor Pant, Push for Double Centuries After Leeds Test Display

Former Indian off-spinner R Ashwin has urged Team India coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill to mentor Rishabh Pant ahead of the second Test against England in Birmingham, starting July 2nd.

Rishabh Pant celebrating his century. Image: AP Photo/Scott Heppell

Pant showcased his batting prowess in Leeds, scoring centuries in both innings. Despite his outstanding performance, India suffered a five-wicket defeat.

Ashwin praised Pant on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat: "Rishabh had a fabulous game as a batter. I would like to repeat that Rishabh has got a great defence. There is not a single shot in the book that he cannot play."

Ashwin suggested that Pant should aim to convert his centuries into double centuries.

"I sometimes feel if I were Gautam Gambhir or Shubman Gill, I would take Rishabh Pant aside and say, ‘Bhai, tune kya batting kiya hai, kamaal ka batting kiya tune’ (Brother, you’ve batted brilliantly). I would love to be a batter with the kind of ability you have. But can I request you to make a double hundred next time when you're batting on 130?" Ashwin stated.

He further added, "You know we won’t get much contribution from the lower order, so please take the team to the last wicket. But what a fabulous batsman, what a fabulous cricketer, what a talented player."

However, India head coach Gautam Gambhir did not seem inclined to focus solely on individual performances like Pant’s centuries, emphasizing the importance of team results.

Gautam Gambhir's press conference following the Test match.

Gambhir responded bluntly when questioned about Pant’s efforts. "There are three more centuries as well. Those are big positives too. Thank you," he said.

When further asked about the positives, Gambhir added, "I would have liked if you said there was a hundred from Yashasvi (Jaiswal), a hundred from Shubman (Gill) on debut as captain, a hundred from KL (Rahul), and two centuries from Rishabh. So, five centuries in a Test match is a great start, to be honest. And hopefully, the question could have been better."