Rishabh Pant’s scintillating century in India’s emphatic victory over Bangladesh in the Chepauk Test has reignited comparisons with legendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni. However, former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has cautioned against hasty conclusions, emphasizing the need to give Pant time to prove his greatness.
Pant’s 109 in the second innings propelled India to a mammoth 515-run target, which proved insurmountable for Bangladesh. The visitors were dismissed for 234, handing India a 280-run victory and a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.
Pant’s century was his sixth in just 58 Test innings, equaling Dhoni’s record for most Test tons by an Indian wicketkeeper-batter. However, Karthik believes it’s premature to declare Pant as India’s greatest ever in the longest format.
“It’s very unacceptable to say that he’s (Pant) played 34 Tests and he’s already India’s greatest wicket-keeper batter,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz. “Let’s take time, let’s not jump to conclusions.”
Karthik acknowledged Pant’s potential but stressed the need to consider Dhoni’s all-round contributions. “Don’t discount Dhoni’s credentials as a wicketkeeper as well,” he said. “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.”
Pant’s free-flowing innings against Bangladesh showcased his attacking prowess and ability to dominate the opposition. His century came at a crucial juncture, helping India set an imposing target and secure a comfortable victory.
The second and final Test of the series will commence on September 27 in Kanpur, where Pant will have another opportunity to cement his status as one of India’s most promising wicketkeeper-batters.
