Delhi: Indian team's veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin says that if Rishabh Pant strikes the right balance between his offensive and defensive game, then he can score a century in every match. Praising Pant, Ashwin said that he is capable of single-handedly changing the course of the match, but many of his shots are risky, due to which he is not able to utilize his full potential properly.

Recently, in the fifth match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Sydney, Pant batted restrainedly in the first innings and scored 40 runs and in the second innings scored 61 runs in just 33 balls and India's second win in Test cricket. Scored the fastest half century. Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, “We have to explain to Pant that if he has to bat solidly or play with a specific intention, then how to do it. He has not scored many runs, but it cannot be said that he has been unsuccessful. “He still has a lot of time.”

Ashwin further said, “Pant has not yet realized his full potential. He has all types of shots, like reverse sweep and slog sweep. But, the problem is that all these shots are quite risky. If he works on his defensive game and lasts for 200 balls, he can score big in every match. The main thing is to strike a balance. If he can do this, he can score a century in every match.”

Ashwin gave the example of both the innings of Pant's Sydney Test. He said, “In the first innings, Pant played defensively and scored 40 runs, but it was not discussed. Whereas, in the second innings, he played a quick inning of 61 runs in 33 balls, which was praised by everyone. It is not right that his first innings was ignored.”

Praising Pant's defensive technique, Ashwin said, “Pant rarely gets out while batting defensively. He has one of the best defensive techniques in world cricket. I have bowled to him a lot in the nets and he does not get out. His technique is so strong that the ball does not take the edge of the bat and he is not even LBW. I have always told him to use his technique properly.”