Ashwin to Pant: Target Double Century, Says Gambhir & Gill Should Mentor Star After Leeds Test

Ashwin Urges Pant to Aim for Double Century After Leeds Masterclass

Former Indian off-spinner R Ashwin has called on the Indian team management, particularly coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill, to mentor Rishabh Pant following his stellar performance in the first Test against England. The second Test is scheduled to begin on July 2 in Birmingham.

Pant showcased his batting prowess in Leeds, notching up centuries in both innings. Despite his individual brilliance, India suffered a five-wicket defeat.

"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 stated on his YouTube channel, "Ash Ki Baat."

Ashwin's advice to Pant was to aim for a double century the next time he surpasses the 100-run mark.

"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 commented.

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, head coach Gautam Gambhir seemed reluctant to focus solely on individual achievements. When questioned about the positives from the Test loss to England, he emphasized the importance of results, which the team failed to secure.

Gambhir responded bluntly to a question regarding Pant's efforts not being enough to secure a win for India.

"There are three more centuries as well. Those are big positives too. Thank you," he said.

When pressed further about the overall positives, Gambhir stated, "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."