Rishabh Pant should be compared with best Test batters, not Adam Gilchrist: R Ashwin

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin feels that Rishabh Pant is well past the stage of being a rookie and must set a benchmark as per his potential. The southpaw has played 45 Tests in his career so far, and has 3290 runs at an average of 44.45 and and strike rate of 74.40 in 79 innings. 

The southpaw has been in terrific form in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy as well, having scored 342 runs across four innings. Ashwin also commented about Pant's defensive abilities and stated that his defense is much better than Adam Gilchrist. The former spinner urged that Pant should not be placed in Gilchrist's category. 

"I would like to see Rishabh Pant achieve his potential. We want him to entertain us, but he can do that and show restraint when needed. Pant is not a newbie anymore. I want to benchmark Pant to his standards," shared Ashwin on his YouTube channel.

"He is a fabulous player. He is not Adam Gilchrist - many compare him to Gilchrist. He didn't have such a good defence. Pant has a high-quality defence. He should be compared with some of the best batters, not Gilchrist. Rishabh Pant can do Pant things," added Ashwin.

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Pant recorded twin centuries (134 and 118) in the series opener at Headingley, however, India ended up losing the game by five wickets. He did not last too long in the first innings of the second Test at Edgbason, scoring only 25. But the second innings saw a turnaround as Pant's 58-ball 65 gave the innings the impetus it needed.

There will be a lot of expectations from Pant as far as the upcoming Test at Lord's, the third one of the ongoing five-match series is concerned as India have a chance to take a lead in the series. The third fixture will commence from July 10.