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'Come On, Rishabh': Ashwin's Role Reversal For Pant To Cheer Him Up Behind The Stumps

Ravi Ashwin standing behind Rishabh Pant [Source: @rajasthanroyals/Instagram]Ravi Ashwin standing behind Rishabh Pant [Source: @rajasthanroyals/Instagram]

Cricket’s dynamic personality Rishabh Pant can entertain audiences like few others. Audacious with the bat, the dashing wicketkeeper-batter is equally cunning behind the stumps. Moreover, Pant also holds a penchant of ‘out-sledging’ opposition batters with his ‘chirpy’ behavior on the field.

As it turned out, the cricketer once switched his role with national teammate and Rajasthan Royals’ rival Ravichandran Ashwin back in IPL 2024 during a nets training session. In a hilarious footage shared by both Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals franchises on their social media accounts, ‘wicketkeeper’ Ashwin can be seen attempting to rile up Pant as the latter was taking strike in a batting drill.

The incident even caught the attention of then Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting, who made a hilarious remark at the end of their verbal exchange.

When Ravi Ashwin’s sledge backfired against Pant

Rishabh Pant, who suffered a near-fatal car accident back in December 2022, made his return to competitive cricket during the IPL 2024 season in India. Ahead of the match between Pant’s Delhi Capitals and a Ravichandran Ashwin-starrer Rajasthan Royals franchises during the earlier stages of the competition, the two cricketers caught up with each other at the nets.

As it turned out, Ashwin, a legendary off-spinner, stood behind Rishabh Pant as a wicketkeeper and made hilarious attempts to rile up the dashing left-hander. The senior Indian cricketer can be heard saying:

“Keep playing. Yes! Well done. What a shot, man. A little bit of encouragement and you hit it for a six.”

Rishabh Pant responded to Ashwin’s remarks with a soaring six, one which prompted then Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting to ask the Indian spinner to stand behind the stumps even during IPL games.

Fast forward to 2025, and each of the three cricketing personalities have joined different franchises for the upcoming season. Ricky Ponting was roped in by the Punjab Kings franchise as their new head coach, while Rishabh Pant was purchased by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the IPL 2025 mega auction after his release from the Delhi Capitals.

Moreover, Ravichandran Ashwin is also set to make his return to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) group following his 10-season stint with four different IPL teams.