IND vs SA 2nd Test: Ravichandran Ashwin wants Rishabh Pant to shoulder responsibility

Ravichandran Aswhin, Rishabh Pant (Pic: File Pic)

Team India suffered a humiliating loss against South Africa in the second Test match at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati.

With this, South Africa scripted history by clinching their first-ever series win in Indian in 25 years.

Despite losing the series, former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin heaped praise on Team India's stand-in skipper Rishabh Pant. He said that the left-hander has a superb game, but needs to take responsibility to avoid getting out to rash shots.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said, "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".

He then cited the example of former New Zealand cricketer Nathan Astle and said he didn't play in the same way after scoring 200 runs in Christchurch.

"Nathan Astle once smashed 200-odd runs in Christchurch. 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," added the former Team India cricketer.

This is India's second whitewash at home under the head coach Gautam Gambhir. 0-3 to NZ last year and 0-2 vs SA now - two home Test series defeats for India in two years.

This is also South Africa's first Test series win in India since 2000. The last time the Proteas won a Test series in India was under the leadership of Hansie Cronje, who won the series 2-0. Temba Bavuma became the latest skipper to join the list.

After concluding the Test series, both teams will now engage in the white-ball series against each other, which will include three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and five T20 Internationals (T20Is).

(With ANI Inputs)