Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel has been impressed with Rishabh Pant’s consistency, especially in the longer format. The youngster played another important knock against Sri Lanka on Sunday, becoming the fastest Indian player to score a Test fifty as well. Patel, however, believes Pant has already elevated himself into one of the top three wicketkeepers of all time that India have ever produced based on his batting ability as well. However, in terms of impact, the veteran reckons there is no one better than Pant now.

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Parthiv Patel said about Rishabh Pant’s impact in Test cricket: “Rishabh Pant has consistently improved his wicketkeeping. However, if we talk about pure batting ability, then he is among the top three (among Indian wicketkeepers). But if it is about having an impact on the game, then Rishabh Pant is currently the best wicketkeeper.”

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He further added: “Rishabh Pant is such a blockbuster player that there will always be a debate on an odd occasion whether there was any need to play that shot. But I think he should be allowed to play his natural game because if you expect him to bat like others then he will no longer be the Rishabh Pant we know.”

Meanwhile, the Indian pacers damaged a lot of the visitors’ batting orders. However, India bowled only seven overs late on Day 2 as well. And, Parthiv Patel believes it was important for India to reach a safe score as Sri Lanka can’t be taken for granted too.

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“You cannot take any international team lightly. It is important to reach a safe score first and even if it had been any other international team, India would have thought the same way. Yes, there could be an argument that India would have got more overs to bowl under lights, but the thought process is always to reach a target that you are comfortable defending,” Parthiv Patel concluded.