Ravichandran Ashwin recalls hilarious incident involving Rishabh Pant and batting coach Vikram Rathour

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recalled a hilarious incident prior to stumps on Day 3 in the recently concluded second Test match in Mirpur against Bangladesh which involved Rishabh Pant and batting coach Vikram Rathour.

The KL Rahul-led Indian team registered a dramatic win in the second and final Test as the veteran offie scored an unbeaten 42 runs to rescue the side from the jaws of defeat. However, at one stage, India were gaping at an embarrassing defeat and Vikram had asked the batters if they needed a night-watchman.

As former skipper Virat Kohli refused, it was Pant’s response that left Ashwin in splits. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter is known for his humour and hilarious commentary behind the wickets which often gets caught on the stump mic.

“Vikram (Rathour) Paaji asked (Virat) Kohli whether he needed a night watchman. Kohli said that he will take care and didn't need a night watchman. Rishabh Pant will usually keep the towel on top of his head and will lie down on the table. I don't know the exact reason for him doing that,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

“Vikram Rathour asked 'Virat said he didn't need a night watchman. Do you need? ‘I need watchmen throughout the night. I will go and play tomorrow (Pant replied). I couldn't stop laughing when he said that casually.

When I was extremely nervous, there he was relaxed and cracking a joke. Rathour Bhai was like, ‘We have only Jaydev Unadkat left. Who else should we send?’ Pant was like, ‘Send Ash Bhai, or send whoever you want. I will go bat tomorrow’,” Ashwin further added.

India will take up their next assignment against Sri Lanka as they will feature in a three-match T20I series and as many ODIs scheduled to commence on January 3 in 2023. Both sides will look to obtain results in their favour especially in the 50-over format considering that the ODI World Cup takes place later in 2023 in India.