“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 wicket-keeper bat Dinesh Karthik said it would not be fair to tip Rishabh Pant as India’s greatest wicket-keeper batter ahead of MS Dhoni. Pant has played some match-winning knocks in the red-ball version and he also equaled Dhoni’s tally of six centuries when he scored 109 runs in the opening Test match against Bangladesh at Chennai.

While Pant has scored six centuries in only 34 Test matches, Dhoni played 90 Test matches in his career. Dhoni was more known for his heroics in the white-ball format than in the red-ball version of the game.

Karthik reckons we should not jump the gun to hail Pant as India’s greatest wicket-batsman as he has played only 34 Test matches and still has a long way to go in his career.

Karthik said on Cricbuzz, “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.”

“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.

On the other hand, Pant said he wants to be himself when asked about consistent comparisons with MS Dhoni.

He said on 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 second Test match between India and Bangladesh will be played at Green Park, Kanpur from September 27.