The Indian selectors have already sparked a heated debate over the team selection for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand and now, adding fuel to the fire, Ravichandran Ashwin has openly questioned Rishabh Pant’s role in the current ODI team.
Ravichandran Ashwin criticizes Rishabh Pant; Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma held responsible for Ruturaj Gaikwad’s mistake
India will host New Zealand for a three-match ODI series starting on January 11. On January 3, the selectors also announced a 15-man squad which also included Rishabh Pant, but Ruturaj Gaikwad was left out despite his excellent form in domestic cricket and scoring a century in his last ODI. Many people including Ashwin did not like this decision.
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Former Indian spinner has termed Rishabh Pant as a bad middle-order batsman in the ODI setup. Ashwin also hinted that the influence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma appears to be the deciding factor in Ruturaj Gaikwad’s future in the ODI team.
R Ashwin’s Blunt Take: “I personally don’t think Rishabh Pant can bat in the middle order in white-ball cricket”
The former Indian all-rounder believes that Rishabh Pant’s strength is better suited for the top order. He believes that the left-handed batsman is more effective as a top three batsman and is not currently suitable for the middle order in ODIs, hence he felt that Gaikwad should have been selected for the New Zealand series.
Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, “Who will look into Ruturaj Gaikwad’s mentality now? At four or five years old, I am sticking my neck out; his batting against spin and his ability to run between the wickets and finish an innings is phenomenal. I personally don’t think Rishabh Pant can bat in the middle order in white-ball cricket at the moment. I think he is a top three batsman.”
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s advantage
Ashwin explained that the real selection battle was between Pant and Gaikwad, as Shreyas Iyer was returning from injury, and he deserved to retain his place in the ODI setup. Therefore, for that spot, the selectors had to choose between the second wicketkeeper and a specialist batsman.
The former spinner believed that it would make more sense to keep a batsman like Gaikwad, as wicketkeeping cover can be more easily managed than replacing a reliable middle-order player.
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Ashwin further explained, “Could Gaikwad have been kept in the team? I think it was a real possibility. The only spot of contention is between Pant and Gaikwad. It was a straightforward decision. Shreyas Iyer deserves to come back after injury, so there is no discussion there. That is his right position. The debate is on who goes out. Between the second wicketkeeper and the batsman, you can find a keeper from anywhere to cover.”
Kohli-Rohit Conclave: Shaping India’s future?
Looking at the bigger picture, Ashwin felt that as long as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continue to play in this format, Gaikwad is unlikely to score long and consistent runs.
Both the senior batsmen are currently active only in ODIs and are in great form, making it difficult for Gaikwad to retain his place.
Ashwin said, “Ruturaj will get long innings only when Rohit and Kohli decide to retire. Till then, it will be difficult for him to play long innings.”
