Rishabh Pant’s childhood coach Tarak Sinha has put his weight behind his student. Sinha said even MS Dhoni missed chances in the initial phase of his career. Rishabh Pant was booed by the Mohali crowd when he fluffed the stumping chance of Ashton Turner, which was the defining moment of the match. Subsequently, the Mohali crowd went on to chant for MS Dhoni.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant is still a novice at the International level. Thus, he should be given his chances to hit the ground running at the topmost level. Furthermore, it is not fair to compare MS Dhoni, who has vast experience as compared to rookie Rishabh Pant. In fact, comparing both of them is like comparing white with black.
Comparing Dhoni with Pant is like comparing white with black.
“Such comparisons are cropping up because, like Dhoni, he (Pant) is also a wicketkeeper-batsman. But it’s unfair on him because it puts undue pressure for him to perform in a particular way, and be like Dhoni. He performs the best when his mind is free,” the seasoned coach said.
On the other hand, India’s southpaw opener Shikhar Dhawan had also backed Rishabh Pant. Dhawan had said it is not fair to compare Rishabh Pant with the legendary MS Dhoni.
“Rishabh is a young bloke and like any other youngster, you have to give time to him. He is still finding his feet. You cannot compare Pant to Dhoni, given the experience he has having played over the years,” the opener said after the defeat.
“There’s a difference between the Pant of today and Dhoni 14-years-ago when he was making his way into the Indian team. Back then, he did not come with the kind of baggage like Pant has. There wasn’t any legendary wicketkeeper whom he was replacing. The guys back then were either Dinesh Karthik or Parthiv Patel, players younger to him. So, he (Dhoni) was free from the pressure and expectations that Pant is facing today,” he offers.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant has made an impressive start to the red-ball version. He was the second highest run-getter on the tour of Australia as he had scored 350 runs.
The combative southpaw opener had scored an undefeated knock of 159 runs in the fourth Sydney Test. However, Pant is still finding his feet in the limiting over format. He is yet to prove his mettle in the white ball version and he needs time and support of the fans.