Rishabh Pant Record In Nervous 90s in Tests: Why Ashwin Is Frustrated With The Wicketkeeper Batter

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has sharply questioned Rishabh Pant's decision-making in Test cricket, after another dismissal in the nervous 80s against Afghanistan in Mullanpur. Ashwin felt Pant again failed to read the match situation, wasting a chance to reach a hundred and build a bigger score for India.

Pant reached 81 in the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Mullanpur and looked well set. With fielders posted on the boundary, Pant advanced down the pitch to attack Hashmatullah Shahidi. The misjudged stroke led to a catch in the deep, leaving Pant 19 short of a century for the ninth time.

Rishabh Pant statistics and nervous 90s record in Test cricket

Ashwin pointed out that Pant's repeated dismissals between 80 and 99 have already shaped the wicketkeeper's Test record. Had even a few of those innings been turned into hundreds, Ashwin believes Pant's numbers would stand among the best in world cricket and strengthen India's batting returns.

The list of Pant's scores in the 80s and 90s in Test cricket is long and detailed. It includes major opponents and key venues across different years for India. These innings are summarised below, including the most recent 81 against Afghanistan in Chandigarh.

Rishabh Pant debate, responsibility and Test cricket approach

These near-misses have placed Pant alongside MS Dhoni and Sourav Ganguly for the third-highest number of Indian Test dismissals in the 80s and 90s. Only Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid sit above this group. The pattern has renewed the long-running debate around Pant's attacking style and responsibility in Test cricket.

On his YouTube channel, Ashwin spoke with clear irritation about the latest dismissal. "You've got out so many times in the 80s and 90s. It's impossible to discover such a great Test batter. But playing such a shot on 80 is mind-boggling. Having come to 80, can't you play for another 20 runs?" Ashwin said.

Rishabh Pant talent, risk-taking and Test cricket expectations

Ashwin argued that Pant's high-risk strokeplay sometimes harms the team, even if the Afghanistan match situation did not expose that fully. "All batters make mistakes, but the amount of time he does it is disappointing," Ashwin added. "He has played more than 50 Tests now, so he needs to start playing the situation for the team on many occasions."

The relationship between Pant's fearless batting and Ashwin's expectations has been discussed for years. Ashwin, who has shared several important Test stands with Pant, has often asked for more accountability from the 28-year-old. The concern now comes when Pant is already working to regain rhythm and belief in other formats.

At the same time, Ashwin acknowledged that Pant's boldness has helped define the wicketkeeper's impact in Test cricket. There is a risk that asking Pant to curb his instincts too much might affect what makes Pant different. The Indian team management has also tried to guide Pant towards reading conditions and situations better without removing that natural flair.

Despite the criticism, Ashwin highlighted Pant's skill level. "He's actually the best Test batter," Ashwin remarked. "When he defends, it's so good that even Gavaskar is impressed. He has so much time, irrespective of how fast the ball comes at him." Ashwin then underlined that effective Test batting depends on choosing higher-percentage shots rather than regularly challenging fielders placed on the boundary.