'Responsibility is a must,’ - Former India cricketer slams Rishabh Pant’s captaincy after series defeat against South Africa
A former India cricketer criticised Rishabh Pant’s captaincy following India’s series defeat to South Africa, urging the young leader to show more responsibility.
Rishabh Pant (Image | BCCI on X)
Last Updated: 12.47 PM, Nov 27, 2025
Being the captain of India’s cricket team isn’t an easy job to do since crores of eyes are watching and ready to bash even if there’s a slight mistake. After Shubman Gill was injured in the first Test, Rishabh Pant was handed over the team’s responsibility, as he was the vice-captain. The left-handed batter was the stand-in captain in the first game and then had full control in the second match.
Now, he is under scrutiny for not sticking around and throwing away his wicket in the second Test match against South Africa. The Guwahati Test was a brutal loss for India, and as usual, the blame is falling on the captain’s shoulders. Former cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has bashed Pant for playing irresponsible cricket in the 2nd Test, and he should own up to his mistake.
My heartbeat used to go fast: R. Ashwin
In his YouTube channel, ‘Ash ki Baat,’ Ashwin opened up about how he used to feel from the dressing room when Pant batted. While the former player praised Pant for being an excellent batter, he also made it clear that as a captain, he should have been responsible for the team. While Pant’s batting style is always debateable, there were many loop holes in the Indian team that led to their downfall.
"My heartbeat used to go fast in the dressing room when Rishabh Pant batted. He has a superb game and defence, so I always wonder why he would get out to shots like these. I will still say he is a very good player, and the day he takes responsibility, things can start changing. I don't deny the X-factor he brings. Nathan Astle once smashed 200-odd runs in Christchurch," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat.
"But he didn't play the same way in every Test after that. Similarly, batters cannot play the same way every time. I have said it in the dressing room, but it cannot change until he realises it. If you are a captain today, 10 others will follow in your footsteps. So, responsibility is a must," he added.
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