Ashwin says Pant’s decision-making is costing him a place in ODI, T20I sides

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has criticized Rishabh Pant's decision-making, asserting that it is the reason behind his exclusion from both ODI and T20I teams. Ashwin emphasized that the "once-in-a-generation" tag should not grant special treatment to players, extending it to everyone. He urged Pant to assume responsibility and stop invoking the "once-in-a-generation" argument. According to Ashwin, once he tells the truth to Pant, he will become an all-format player for India.

Ashwin further contested the notion that Pant's aggressive batting style is a valid excuse for his poor decision-making during critical moments. He maintained that Pant's attacking approach doesn't justify his subpar performance in high-pressure situations. While acknowledging Pant's strike rate and class knock in recent matches, Ashwin reiterated that the team's success depends on a collective effort from all 11 players.

He specifically highlighted the importance of Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur in recent Test matches, stressing that a single mistake can cost India a victory.

In the recently concluded series against Sri Lanka, Pant scored 168 runs, including two half-centuries in the two Test matches, helping India secure a 1-0 lead. However, the series was drawn after the second Test in Colombo ended in a tie. Ashwin dismissed the comparison between Pant's aggressive batting and that of past greats like Virender Sehwag and Adam Gilchrist, emphasizing that Pant's risky shots should not be taken when the game is already at a disadvantage.

Ashwin reaffirmed his love for Pant as a player but urged the team management to address his decision-making issues to become a consistent performer across all formats.