Former India pacer Dodda Ganesh heaped praise on Rishabh Pant after the wicketkeeper-batter produced another counter-attacking innings in the second innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Ganesh described Pant as the best wicketkeeper-batter India have had in Test cricket, highlighting his ability to change the course of matches with the bat.
Pant scored a quickfire 66 off 69 balls on Day 4, becoming the only Indian batter to cross the 50-run mark as the visitors were bowled out for 193. His aggressive knock included two sixes and took his tally to 100 Test sixes, making him the first Indian batter to reach the landmark. With Sri Lanka facing a daunting 372-run target, Ganesh took to X on the morning of Day 5 to underline Pant’s impact in the longest format.
“I don’t think India have had a better WK-batsman than Rishabh Pant in the Tests,” Dodda Ganesh wrote, praising the left-hander’s match-winning contributions and comparing his influence with some of India’s greatest batters.
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Pant has established himself as one of India’s most impactful Test players. He has scored 3,662 runs in 51 Tests at an average of 43.59, including eight centuries. His tally of Test hundreds is the highest among Indian wicketkeeper-batters, putting him ahead of former captain MS Dhoni.
Nostalgia is great. But I don’t think India have had a better WK-batsman than Rishabh Pant in the tests. The kind of impact he has had in his career spanning 50 tests and the number of tests he has won with his bat is on par with some of the great batters of the past.
Pant is a…
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) August 19, 2026
The Delhi-born batter has also been highly effective in attacking situations. His Test career strike rate stands at over 74, reflecting the aggressive approach that has become a defining feature of his batting.
Ganesh doubled down on his assessment later, calling Pant “the best Test WK batsman India has had” and describing his impact as unparalleled. He also referred to Pant as a “cheat code” in Test cricket. Pant’s influence is not limited to home conditions either. He has maintained an impressive record in overseas Tests, making him a crucial part of India’s red-ball setup.
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Meanwhile, Sri Lanka began Day 5 on 88/4 while chasing 372 in Galle. India were firmly in control and needed only six more wickets to complete a memorable victory, with Pant’s aggressive second-innings knock having played an important role in setting up the visitors’ dominant position.
