"Unacceptable to say that he's played 34 Tests and he's already India's greatest wicketkeeper-batter"- Dinesh Karthik on Pant vs Dhoni comparisons
Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik felt it would be premature to bill Rishabh Pant as India's greatest Test wicketkeeper-batter ahead of the legendary MS Dhoni after the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. India completed a convincing 280-run victory, with Pant leading the way with the bat by scoring a brilliant 109 in the second innings.
It meant Pant leveled Dhoni in Test centuries with six in only 34 outings compared to the latter's 90 matches. The southpaw also averages an impressive 44.79 in Tests, while Dhoni finished his international red-ball career with an average of 38.09.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Karthik felt Dhoni still held the pole position as India's best wicketkeeper-batter in Tests and and was quoted by Hindustan Times:
"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."
Karthik also highlighted Dhoni's credentials behind the stumps and as captain, leading India to No.1 in the world.
"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," he added.
Dhoni finished his Test career with an incredible 256 catches and 38 stumpings, while also captaining India to 27 wins in 60 games.
"I want to be myself" - Rishabh Pant on the MS Dhoni comparisons
Rishabh Pant said he wanted to be himself and not focus on the narratives around MS Dhoni comparisons. Pant has often spoken glowingly about Dhoni, having debuted for India during the latter stages of Dhoni's illustrious career.
Pant said in a conversation with Jio Cinema:
"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."
The first Bangladesh Test was Pant's first red-ball game for India after being sidelined from December 2022 till the 2024 IPL due to multiple injuries suffered due to his horrific car accident.