Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali dismissed Rishabh Pant’s comparisons to the legendary MS Dhoni for the title of best Indian Test wicketkeeper after his heroics in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai as well. However, Pant made a stunning return to Test cricket after almost a two-year injury layoff, scoring a valuable 39 in the first innings and an amazing 109 in the second innings to help India complete a massive 280-run win as well.
However, Basit Ali on his YouTube channel dismissed the comparisons, saying as quoted by NDTV, “Please forgive me. MS Dhoni was a legend, he led India to World Cup wins and ICC Champions Trophy. Rishabh Pant is doing well, let him focus on his game. Will you compare Shubman Gill with Virat Kohli?” said Basit Ali.
Meanwhile, Delhi finished his career with 4,876 runs which came at an average of 38.09 with six centuries and 33 fifties in 90 Tests. The former captain also grabbed 256 catches and 38 stumpings with the gloves as well. Meanwhile, Pant has smashed 2,419 runs at an average of 44.79 with six centuries and 11 half-centuries in 34 Tests as well. However, Dinesh Karthik said that it is unacceptable to place Pant on Dhoni’s pedestal after only 34 Tests as well.
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“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,” said Karthik via Hindustan Times. “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.”
On the other hand, Basit Ali has also claimed that current Pakistan batters are afraid of playing on grassy pitches which help fast bowlers as well.
“What sort of pitch will you make for the England series? If you make a spin pitch, then who are the spinners that you have? Sajid Khan is at home, and you did not consider Yasir Shah. Noman Ali played one match and wasn’t considered again. Only Zahid Mahmood is left.”Will you make a grass pitch just like you did against Bangladesh? Pakistan played with four pacers, and at the end, the spinners took wickets. You won’t make a quick surface because Pakistan batters are afraid of such a surface,” he concluded.
