Young Rishabh Pant should not try to be the next MS Dhoni and must work on improving his own game instead, believes former Aussie keeper Adam Gilchrist. The hard-hitter is under pressure since the World Cup semi-final and has been criticised by many, for his patience while batting and his wicket-keeping skills. Even after the first T20I against Bangladesh in Delhi, Pant received a lot of jeers after India’s loss.
Gilchrist, though, reckons that the Indian fans should stop comparing Pant with MS Dhoni.
“I’m not big on comparisons, like I have said before. I think Indians fans shouldn’t be trying to compare him to Dhoni. Dhoni has set such a high benchmark. One day someone might match it but it is probably unlikely,” the Kangaroo legend said.
“Rishabh looks like a very talented young player. Just don’t put too much pressure on him too early and expect that he’s going to produce Dhoni-like performances every day,” he added.
He then suggested Pant, to learn from Dhoni instead, “My advice to Rishabh Pant will be: learn everything you can from Dhoni. Don’t try to be Dhoni. Just try to be the best Rishabh Pant you can.”
India will play their first-ever Day-Night Test against Bangladesh in Kolkata November 22 onwards, and Gili believes that pink-ball cricket will definitely be a hit in among the spectators. He then called for a similar Day-Night Test against Australia as well, when team India visits down under after the T20 World Cup next year.
“I expect there will be a Day-Night Test when India visits Australia for the tour next time. I was a bit reluctant with Test cricket initially. But now I can see that the positive outcomes of Day-Night Test will help Test cricket,” Gilchrist said.
