"Will you compare Shubman Gill with Virat Kohli?" - Basit Ali dismisses Rishabh Pant-MS Dhoni comparisons
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali dismissed Rishabh Pant's comparisons to MS Dhoni for the title of best Indian Test wicketkeeper after the southpaw's heroics in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. Pant made a spectacular return to Test cricket after almost a two-year layoff, scoring a valuable 39 in the first innings and a breathtaking 109 in the second to help India complete a massive 280-run victory.
With a sixth Test century, Pant equaled Dhoni in three-figure scores in the longest format, resulting in comparisons between the two.
However, Basit Ali on his YouTube channel dismissed the comparisons and called on Pant to continue focusing on his game.
"Please forgive me. MS Dhoni was a legend, he led India to World Cup wins and ICC Champions Trophy. Rishabh Pant is doing well, let him focus on his game. Will you compare Shubman Gill with Virat Kohli?" said Basit Ali [quoted by NDTV].
Dhoni finished his career with 4,876 runs at an average of 38.09 with six centuries and 33 half-centuries in 90 Tests. The former captain also accounted for 256 catches and 38 stumpings with the gloves.
Meanwhile, Pant has amassed 2,419 runs at an average of 44.79 with six centuries and 11 half-centuries in 34 Tests. The 26-year-old has 120 catches and 14 stumpings behind the wicket.
"Very unacceptable to say that he's played 34 Tests and he's already India's greatest wicketkeeper-batter" - Dinesh Karthik
Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik weighed in on the Pant-Dhoni debate and called it unacceptable to place Pant on Dhoni's pedestal after only 34 Tests.
Karthik also felt Dhoni's exploits in leading India to No.1 in Tests must be considered.
"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," said Karthik via Hindustan Times.
"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 boasts the second-highest wins as an Indian captain in Tests, with 27 victories in 60 matches, behind only Virat Kohli's 40 wins.