Ashwin's Bold Challenge to Pant: Convert Centuries to Double Tons, Urges Gambhir and Gill to Inspire

Former Indian off-spinner R. Ashwin has made a compelling request to the Indian team management regarding Rishabh Pant. He wants coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill to encourage Pant to convert his centuries into double centuries, following his impressive performance in the first Test against England in Birmingham.

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

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

However, Ashwin believes Pant can elevate his game further. He suggests that Pant should aim for double centuries whenever 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 elaborated.

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."

Interestingly, when questioned about the positives from the first Test loss to England, India head coach Gautam Gambhir didn't express excitement at the individual brilliance of Pant’s twin hundreds, stressing that everything comes down to results, which his team could not achieve.

Known for his directness, Gambhir responded succinctly to a question regarding Pant’s efforts, which ultimately didn't secure a win for India. "There are three more centuries as well. Those are big positives too. Thank you," he stated.

When further pressed on the overall positives, Gambhir remarked, "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."