The young Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is currently struggling in international cricket. Adam Gilchrist, the legendary Australian wicketkeeper-batsman, has advised Pant to don’t try to be MS Dhoni.
At the early stage of his international career, Rishabh Pant proved his talent as a batsman and as a wicketkeeper. But with time progress, Pant is facing huge difficulties. The 22-year-old is currently struggling to perform successfully in international cricket.
However, the Indian team management has a strong belief in this youngster. So, that’s why Pant is getting more and more opportunities despite some game-changing failures.
Talking about Pant, Gilchrist feels that the youngster is a very talented player. Gilchrist has advised Pant to don’t try to be Dhoni, only try to be the best version of Pant.
Gilchrist recently said, “I’m not big on comparisons, like I have said before. I think Indians fans shouldn’t be trying to compare him to Dhoni. Dhoni has set such a high benchmark. One day someone might match it but it is probably unlikely.
“Rishabh looks like a very talented young player. Just don’t put too much pressure on him too early and expect that he’s going to produce Dhoni-like performances every day.
“My advice to Rishabh Pant will be: learn everything you can from Dhoni. Don’t try to be Dhoni. Just try to be the best Rishabh Pant you can.”
Adam Gilchrist is not confident on Test cricket
Adam Gilchrist also gave his view on the present popularity in Test cricket. He isn’t much confident about the rising popularity of Test cricket in the present generation. However, he is hoping the same positive intention among the present and future players to play Test cricket.
Gilchrist said, “Test cricket in this day and age will always have challenges because in a fast-paced world, five days of Test cricket doesn’t seem a natural fit. It is surviving on the back of the innovations of T20 and earlier one-day cricket. There’s a room for it.
“Hopefully, the players’ intent to play Test cricket remains the same for a long time.”
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is very desperate to develop Test cricket. They have already launched the ICC World Test Championship from this year. Earlier, since November 2015, we have also experienced some Day-Night Tests.
However, Gilchrist isn’t sure whether the Test Championship can bring more fans in the ground or not.
Gilchrist added, “I think why the ICC has come out with Test championship to add meaning to each and every Test. It will be very interesting to see whether the fans and the players find it relevant over the cycle.
“I am not sure it will get more fans attending Test matches. I think the days of consistent crowds of Test cricket are probably gone. The big marquee series like India-Australia and the Ashes will still garner a decent crowd. There’s still a very strong passive following of Test cricket. So, we have to wait and see whether the Test Championship and Day-Night Tests are well and truly here to stay.”
The legendary wicketkeeper-batsman backing Day-Night Test cricket
Adam Gilchrist has admitted that he was initially not supporting the Day-Night Test. But observing the positive results in the early era of the Day-Night Test, he is supporting this initiative. Gilchrist is also hoping that India will play a Day-Night Test match when they will tour in Australia for the Test series in 2020/21 season.
He said, “I expect there will be a Day-Night Test when India visits Australia for the tour next time. I was a bit reluctant with Test cricket initially. But now I can see that the positive outcomes of Day-Night Test will help Test cricket.
“There are going to be issues, particularly in India with the dew. It will take a bit of time to work out which venues will host the Day-Night Test.”
India are set to play their first-ever Day-Night Test this month. Eden Gardens (Kolkata) will host the Day-Night Test match between India and Bangladesh from 22nd to 26th November.