Ricky Ponting hails Rishabh Pant as the next 'Adam Gilchrist'

It may be the first time in the longer format that an Indian wicketkeeper-batsman is being held in such high esteem down under. As the visitors close in on a historic series win on the Australian soil, Rishabh Pant has been showered with innumerable praises and has been termed by Ricky Ponting as the next ‘Adam Gilchrist’, following his whirlwind knock of 159 not out.

The 21-year old became the first gloveman from India to muster a century down under. Although, the left-hander’s innings was so unlike him, having taken his time initially to settle and then going for the big shots. The former Australian captain, who has worked with Pant as a coach of Delhi Capitals, tips him to make a huge impact in the coming days for India as Gilchrist did for Australia.

The retired Aussie great termed Pant as a great talent and a clean striker of the ball. He also said that the youngster has adopted a good reading of the game but also conceded that he has a bit of work to do in keeping the wickets and becoming an even better batsman.

“He is a real talent and an incredibly good ball striker. He has got a really good game sense as well. I have been lucky enough to coach him at Delhi Capitals. He has got to do a bit of work on his keeping and he will also become a better batsman. We talk about him in the commentary box and he is sort of like another Adam Gilchrist,” Ponting said as quoted by cricket.com.au

Ponting confident that Pant will score more centuries for India

The Delhi-born batsman, on Friday, scored his second red-ball century for India and shared a mammoth partnership of 204 with Ravindra Jadeja as the tourists, captained by Virat Kohli, declared on 622 for the loss of seven wickets. Pant remained unbeaten on 159. The 44-year old remarked that unlike MS Dhoni, who scored only six Test centuries in his 90-Test career, the left-hander will score a plenty of them.

“We talk about MS Dhoni all the time and his impact on Indian cricket. He played a lot of Tests for India but made only six Test hundreds. This kid will make a lot more Test hundreds than that. He has already scored his second Test ton and a couple of 90s to go with it. Look he is someone who could play a lot of Test cricket for India across formats. Pant is only 21 and is already into his ninth Test,” the Tasmanian further said. 

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