Recently retired India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik feels it’s too early to term Rishabh Pant as India’s greatest wicketkeeper-batter.
Pant marked his Test comeback against Bangladesh in Chennai after a hiatus of almost two years following a near-fatal car accident. And he did it in style by smashing a match-winning 128-ball 109 in the second innings, his sixth century in the format. In the process, Pant, playing his 34th Test, equalled MS Dhoni’s tally of most Test hundreds by an Indian wicketkeeper.
Karthik, however, feels that Pant being called India’s greatest wicketkeeper-batter is a disservice to MS Dhoni’s stature.
Karthik: Let's not jump to conclusions
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Karthik said: "It's very unacceptable to say that he's played 34 Tests and he's already India's greatest wicketkeeper batter. Let's take time, let's not jump to conclusions but definitely he's on course for sure and he will finish as India's greatest ever wicketkeeper."
It’s worth noting that Pant has been India’s third-highest run-getter in the format since 2020, after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. He is the only wicketkeeper-batter from India with centuries in England, Australia and South Africa. On the other hand, MS Dhoni never scored one in overseas conditions across formats.
R Ashwin has overtaken Courtney Walsh to take eighth place on the overall Test wicket takers list.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 22, 2024
Only one Indian sits ahead of him: Anil Kumble.
When might Ashwin overtake him? Rahul Iyer crunches the numbers: https://t.co/nFLzOIUaRM pic.twitter.com/9kjCWcIcqr
Karthik, however, believes that MS Dhoni’s credentials as a wicketkeeper and that he led India to the No.1 ranking in the format can’t be "discounted".
"Don't discount Dhoni's credentials as a wicketkeeper as well. He not only kept brilliantly, batted and scored runs when it mattered very very well for India but also he led India to a World Test Championship mace which is becoming number 1. So you got to give all that weightage as well when you speak about a player all round," Karthik added.
Pant wants to carve his niche
When asked about emulating the former India captain, Pant said he is not bothered about the comparisons. Rather he would "keep things simple."
"This is CSK’s home ground. Mahi bhai has played a lot of cricket here. But, for me, like I have said before, I want to be myself. I don’t focus on what’s being said or what’s happening around me. I keep things simple and focus on giving my best. The atmosphere here was amazing, and I really enjoyed it," Pant said to Jio Cinema.
The second Test will be played between September 27 and October 1 at Green Park, Kanpur.
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