Ravichandran Ashwin drops bold verdict on Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill: 'Questionable shots...overwhelmed by attention'

India National Cricket Team spin-bowling legend Ravichandran Ashwin has shared his bold views on Test skipper Shubman Gill and the star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant.

Ravichandran Ashwin talked about the duo days before the commencement of the five-match Test series between India and England, which will be the first assignment of the new leadership group of Team India.

Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant's Test numbers

Gill was chosen as the successor of Rohit Sharma as Test captain after he retired, and the star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant was handed the vice-captaincy.

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Shubman Gill pipped Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant in the race for captaincy despite not having good numbers, as the selection committee sees a big future in him.

So far, Gill has featured in 32 Test matches for the India National Cricket Team and has scored 1893 runs at a poor average of 35, with five centuries and seven fifties.

On the other hand, Rishabh Pant has had a significantly better career in Test cricket than Shubman Gill. The wicketkeeper-batsman has scored 2948 runs at an average of 42.11, including six tons and 15 fifties.

Fantastic Test batter with a questionable choice of shots - Ravichandran Ashwin on Rishabh Pant

In an interview with RevSportz, Ravichandran Ashwin labeled Rishabh Pant as a 'high-quality' Test batsman who can walk into the team as a pure batter without depending on his wicket-keeping skills.

Ravichandran Ashwin also took a sly dig at Rishabh Pant by saying that his shot selections are questionable at times. He elaborated:

"I think Rishabh is a high-quality Test batsman. He can just walk into that team as a pedigree Test batsman even if he does not have to hold on to the gloves. Fantastic Test batter with a questionable choice of shots sometimes, but I guess he comes with it and he gives you match-winning knocks.

"It’s only a matter of time when he finds out the formula and rectifies it to become more consistent. He should be walking in at No. 5 as No. 6 for him would be a bit too late in my view. He has a lot of time on hand; he does not get out a lot. I would be glued to the TV set if he is batting."

I think he is already too overwhelmed by the attention - Ravichandran Ashwin

While talking about Shubman Gill, Ravichandran Ashwin said that the newly-appointed Test captain is too overwhelmed by the attention he is getting after taking over the top job in Indian cricket.

The spin-bowling legend, who has shared the dressing room with Gill, labeled him as a very special player and was hopeful of the batter getting off to a good start in the series against England. He said:

"About Shubman Gill, I think he is already too overwhelmed by the attention and responsibility he has got. If I was in his place with such a high-pressure job, I would want to have a very good start as a batsman.

"As a batter, he will have his share of questions on his place, as England can be a very tough place to bat. But if he makes runs, runs will give confidence and that would in turn rub on to captaincy. He is a very special player, and I hope he gets off to a very good start to avoid any questions raised. But I think Rishabh goes into the series with a lot more certainty than Shubman."

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