Rishabh Pant on comparisons with MS Dhoni after Australia heroics: Want to make my own name in Indian cricket
India tour of Australia: Rishabh Pant, speaking to reporters on Thursday upon his arrival in New Delhi, said it's unfair to compare him with a 'legend' like MS Dhoni.
In Short
- Rishabh Pant said he doesn't want to be compared to anyone
- I want to make a name for myself in Indian cricket: Pant
- Pant played a key role in helping India win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has played down comparisons with MS Dhoni after his heroics in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, saying it's unfair to compare a legend with a young cricketer. Pant was speaking to reporters upon his arrival in New Delhi after the successful tour of Australia on Thursday.
Rishabh Pant proved his naysayers wrong with match-winning performances in the 4-Test series in Australia. After being dropped for the first Test, Pant made immediate impacts after returning to the team in their 8-wicket win in Melbourne in the 2nd Test. Pant gave a big scare to Australia in the 3rd Test in Sydney as he hit a quickfire 97 on Day 5 before the visitors held on for a draw.
In Brisbane, Pant was one of the many heroes for India as the wicketkeeper-batsman, after recovering from a hand injury, hit an unbeaten 89 on Day 5 as India gunned down a record total of 328 at the Gabba. Pant's flamboyant knock meant India became the first team since Sir Vivian Richards' team in 1988-89 to beat Australia at the Gabba in a Test match.
Pant's match-winning efforts have earned him rich praise and his fearless approach has been likened to the likes of MS Dhoni, Adam Gilchrist and Mark Boucher.
"It feels amazing when you compare someone like MS Dhoni. It feels good for me to be compared with him. But I don't want me to be compared with anyone. I want to make a name for myself in Indian cricket. That's the only thing I am focussed on. Because it's not too good to compare a legend with a youngster," Pant told reports in New Delhi.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant moved to a career-best spot of 13 on ICC Test Batting Rankings after topping India's batting charts in the 4-Test series with 274 runs in 3 matches. Pant is now the highest-ranked wicketkeeper-batsman on ICC Test rankings but the youngster said he is not focussed on the numbers.
"I feel good but I didn't know about the ranking. My only job is to win matches for India," Pant said.
Pant has been picked alongside Wriddhiman Saha for the first 2 Tests of an upcoming 4-Test series against England at home. Pant is likely to take over the gloveman duties for the first time at home since 2018.