Dinesh Karthik on Rishabh Pant vs MS Dhoni 'greatest Indian Test wicketkeeper-batter' comparison: 'It's very unacceptable...'

Dinesh Karthik, the former India wicketkeeper, believes it’s too early to say if Rishabh Pant can be considered as India’s greatest wicketkeeper-batter in Tests. Karthik was speaking on comparisons between Pant and the legendary MS Dhoni, and urged experts and fans to not jump into conclusions.

Playing his first Test since December 2022, Pant slammed a century against Bangladesh in Chennai, scoring 109 runs off 128 balls. Pant had sustained multiple injuries during a car accident in December 2022 and was ruled out of playing cricket for more than a year.

Also read | Rishabh Pant returns like he never left with record-equalling century on Day 3 of first India-Bangladesh Test

He underwent multiple surgeries and a 14-month rehabilitation before making a comeback in IPL 2024 with Delhi Capitals (DC).In Chennai, Pant equalled MS Dhoni's record for most Test tons by an Indian keeper-batter (Six).

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‘Very unacceptable’

“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 said on Cricbuzz.

The 39 year-old opined that MS Dhoni’s credentials as a wicketkeeper cannot 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,” added the former Tamil Nadu cricketer.

Read |  How Rishabh Pant compares to other legends including MS Dhoni and Adam Gilchrist?

Pant is India’s third highest run-getter in Tests since 2020, after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The 26 year-old is the lone wicketkeeper-batter from India to have hit a Test century in England, Australia and South Africa. His century in Chennai was his sixth in the longest format as he helped India clinch a 280-run win over Bangladesh.

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‘I keep things simple’

When asked about emulating the Jharkhand cricketer, Pant said that it was just all about playing his game. “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,” he said on JioCinema. The second Test between India and Bangladesh will begin from 27 September in Kanpur.