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Ravichandran Ashwin didn’t hold back on his YouTube channel after India’s 2-0 Test series defeat against South Africa, using a pointed breakdown of Rishabh Pant’s dismissal in Guwahati in the first innings to question the stand-in captain’s judgement and accountability. Reflecting on the record loss — India’s biggest ever by runs — Ashwin said he had avoided raising the subject but “had to go there” after watching Pant fall to a needless stroke after the visitors piled up 489. With Dhruv Jurel already gone to a pull shot, Ashwin argued that the moment demanded restraint from the skipper.
“Pant is a solid batsman and we’ve spent years defending his style,” he said. “But you’re the captain in that situation. You want to be a three-format leader? You can, you have the talent. But then you take a blind swing at Marco Jansen and get caught behind. Where is the accountability? A coach can’t hold the bat and walk out there for you.”Watch what Ashwin said here The veteran spinner’s frustration echoed the broader scrutiny now following Pant into the white-ball leg of the tour, where his place in the XI is no longer guaranteed. India head into the first ODI in Ranchi juggling selection puzzles, especially around the wicketkeeping and middle-order combination. A central question looms as to whether KL Rahul and Pant can both fit into the side if Rahul keeps wickets. Pant’s dismissal style has become a flashpoint, but his left-handed presence remains valuable in an otherwise right-heavy batting order. Playing both would require sacrificing depth either at No. 7 or in the all-rounder slot. That slot is itself a knife-edge call between Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Washington offers control and match-up value; Nitish brings seam-hitting and middle-overs pace. These two contrasting templates post a tough call for the selectors as they weigh Ranchi’s conditions and the need for balance.
Poll
Do you agree with Ravichandran Ashwin’s criticism of Rishabh Pant’s captaincy during the Test series against South Africa?
Bowling coach Morne Morkel summed up the underlying theme that selection may ultimately come down to what the ball does under lights — but the questions raised by Ashwin will linger far beyond this series.Despite the disappointment in Tests, the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will headline the ODIs, and with a series defeat in the ODIs against Australia earlier in October, the Men in Blue will look to get back to winning ways.
