Don’t compare Rishabh Pant with Dhoni or Saha, urges Kiran More

Kiran More, the former Indian stumper, doesn’t want Rishabh Pant to be compared with veterans MS Dhoni and Wriddhiman Saha. After the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales, Pant has been donning the keeping gloves. Dhoni went on a sabbatical following the mega event and Rishabh is being seen as someone, who can fill in Dhoni’s shoes going in the long run.

However, he has looked erratic from all departments and his place in the national team has come under the scanner plenty of times. Even the crowd has chanted Dhoni’s name whenever Pant failed behind the stumps. Virat backed him, saying that such an attitude is disrespectful. More reckons that Pant is currently India’s second-best keeper after Saha and has shown improvement.

Rishabh Pant is a great talent, says More

“He is a talented wicketkeeper. Don’t forget he is only 22 and don’t compare him with Dhoni or Saha. There is no doubt that Saha is the best wicketkeeper, but Pant is India’s second-best ‘keeper. He is fast improving. You cannot get a century in England and Australia if you lack skills to bat,” More was quoted as saying in mid-day.

“Not to forget, he [scored those centuries] on his first tours to Australia and England. He is a great talent. We have to give him some time to settle down. He is learning a lot and is quite intelligent. He can absorb advise very quickly,” he stated.

More admitted that Pant needs to be a little circumspect while batting and said that the Young Turk will fine-tune his game as per the match situation. Moreover, More put forth Pant’s numbers in Tests to back his comments of him being a good keeper.

“Yes, he has to be cautious while batting, but all attacking players have the habit of scoring at a faster pace. I am sure he will also learn to bat according to the situation. He has played only 11 Test matches and effected 51 catches and two stumpings. This only shows he is a good wicketkeeper,” the veteran added.

Pant hasn’t played Test cricket ever since India’s tour of the West Indies. Saha was preferred ahead of him for the Test series against South Africa and Bangladesh, keeping in mind the former’s keeping prowess.