'Rishabh Pant Wasn't In The Mood': Ashwin's Big Reveal On Nightwatchman Fiasco
In a stunning reveal, Ravichandran Ashwin has said Rishabh Pant 'doesn't like' batting in the last 30-40 minutes of a day, so nightwatchman Akash Deep was sent ahead at Lord's.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed that Rishabh Pant doesn't like to bat in the last 30-40 minutes of a day, which is probably why the Shubman Gill-led side chose to send nightwatchman Akash Deep ahead of him at Lord's on Day 4 of the third Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test.
India went down to 53/3 just before Stumps. With more than 20 overs left in the day's play, India opting for the nightwatchman instead of a proper batter raised eyebrows. KL Rahul, on the other end, supported him for a while but gave him a strike for the final over of the day, bowled by Ben Stokes.
Stokes set him up brilliantly, bringing in a fielder for the bouncer with a short-leg before slipping in a full one on the stumps that the tailender couldn't keep out. Although he did his job by protecting Rahul or another specialist batter, fans questioned the need to send in him the first place.
Ashwin, speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, revealed that this wasn't the first time Pant had avoided coming out to bat.
'I'll tell you a story," Ashwin said. 'Remember that Test match in Mirpur when India were chasing some 140 runs to win (2023 against Bangladesh)? So I was sitting and relaxing in the dressing room after bowling. It was all hot and humid. I was sitting next to the analyst and Rahul Dravid (head coach) was there a little further. After we lost the first two wickets, Rishabh said main nahi ja raha batting karne (I am not going out to bat) to Rahul bhai. There was a good 30-40 minutes left. But he said I am not going. When the next wicket fell and the No. 4 batter was supposed to go in, he went inside and they had to send Axar Patel first, I guess, and then Jaydev Unadkat to go in as the nightwatchman," he added.
Ashwin said the same thing happened in November 2024 against New Zealand.
'Rishabh does not like batting in the last 30-40 minutes of the day. That's why they sent Akash Deep. But see, it is about protecting your best batter, yes. But when you send a batter like Akash Deep and then he gets out, it puts you in even more of a situation. When we were playing against New Zealand, the same thing happened. When Virat Kohli got out, Rishabh was not in a mood to go out. Then we had to Siraj. And when he got out, again a proper batter had to go out."
Pant will have to come out to bat at the start of the fifth day, with India needing 135 runs to win and take a lead in the series.
view comments
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
14 minutes ago
- Mint
ENG VS IND: Nitish Kumar Reddy likely to be ruled out of India's remaining tour of England
Nitish Kumar Reddy, India all-rounder is likely to miss the rest of the England tour due to a knee injury. Reddy sustained the injury during a gym session on Sunday, with scans confirming ligament damage. India's preparations for the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, starting July 23 in Manchester, have been hit by injuries of other players as well. Along with Nitish Reddy, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh are also doubtful due to injuries.
Indian Express
14 minutes ago
- Indian Express
England vs India: Nitish Kumar Reddy ruled out of series
The Indian team received another injury blow on Sunday when all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was ruled out of the remaining two matches of the Test series due to a ligament injury. The news comes on the heels of pacers Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep were ruled out of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, prompting the selection committee to include Haryana seamer Anshul Kamboj in the squad as back-up. Reddy played the second and third Tests against England and had scores of 1,1, 30 and 13 while taking three wickets. It is not yet clear whether the selection committee will send another player as Reddy's replacement. It is learnt that Reddy informed the team management on Sunday morning that he felt some discomfort while stretching, and scans showed a tear, and the player could be on the sidelines for a few weeks. The visitors are 1-2 behind after three Tests of the series, with the fourth match beginning on Wednesday. The selectors and team management will now have to make at least two changes to the playing XI from the Lord's Test, as Akash Deep and Reddy will not be available. The 26-year-old Arshdeep suffered a cut on his bowling hand during a net session on Thursday while stopping a ball hit by Sai Sudharsan on his follow-through. The hand was stitched up but he won't be fit for the fourth Test. He hasn't played a Test yet but could have been in line for a debut in case the team management went for a change in the pace attack. Akash Deep has a groin niggle and didn't bowl in the nets before the team left for Manchester. Currently, the Indian team has a pace-bowling all-rounder in Shardul Thakur in the squad.
News18
17 minutes ago
- News18
No Sachin Tendulkar! Hashim Amla Picks 3 Best Batters Of All Time
Tendulkar is arguably the greatest batter of all time. The former India opener and captain holds the record for scoring the most runs in the Test and ODI formats of the game. Legendary South African top-order batter and former captain Hashim Amla is in England these days, where he is playing for AB de Villiers-led South Africa Champions in the World Championship of Legends. The 42-year-old right-handed batter scored 15 runs from 18 balls against West Indies Legends on Saturday (July 19) and will next take the field against India Legends at County Ground in Northampton on Tuesday, July 22. Amla, who amassed a total of 2527 runs against India in 52 matches played across formats, ahead of the big match against the Yuvraj Singh-led side, during an interview with Star Sports, was asked to pick his three best batters of all time, and he included one Indian in his list, but surprisingly that name was not Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar, who played for India from November 1989 to November 2013, is arguably the greatest batter of all time. The 51-year-old right-handed batter holds the record of playing the most Tests and ODIs and scoring the most runs in the five-day and 50-over formats of the game. But according to Amla, who finished his career with 18,672 runs in 349 matches for South Africa across formats, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Viv Richards are the three best batters according to him. 'There are so many over the years. Growing up my three favourite players were Brian Lara, Steve Waugh, and Jacques Kallis, also being from South Africa. But also maybe three other names: you've got Virat (Kohli) in recent times, AB de Villiers, and I'd say one more old one—Sir Vivian Richards." Hashim Amla reveals his top 3 batters at the World Championship of Legends… and drops a name he's got his eyes on! 👀 #WCL2025 👉 IND Champions vs SA Champions | TUE, 22nd JULY, 5 PM | LIVE on Star Sports Network — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 20, 2025 Amla, who also captained South Africa in 14 Tests and nine ODIs during his playing days, will lock horns against his many former rivals in the ongoing World Championship of Legends. When asked to pick any player who is excited to play against in the coming days, Amla mentioned Chris Gayle's name. Gayle is the captain of West Indies' Legends in WCL 2025. 'Universe Boss. He's definitely the one I always look forward to watching and playing again, to play against." view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
