Rishabh Pant's recent performances have ignited a debate among cricket enthusiasts and experts: Is he already India's greatest wicketkeeper-batter, surpassing even the legendary MS Dhoni? The discussion gained further momentum after Pant's remarkable century against England in the ongoing Test series, prompting former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar to make a bold statement backing Pant as the best in the format.
Manjrekar's argument rests primarily on Pant's superior record in overseas conditions. He emphasizes the importance of centuries scored in challenging environments, pointing out that Pant has already amassed hundreds in England, South Africa, and Australia. In contrast, while acknowledging Dhoni's greatness, Manjrekar suggests that Dhoni's Test centuries were often scored in less demanding conditions, primarily on Indian pitches.
Statistical comparisons further fuel the debate. While Dhoni boasts a long and illustrious Test career, Pant's numbers, particularly away from home, are already impressive. In away Tests, Dhoni scored 2496 runs in 48 matches at an average of 32.84, including one century and 18 fifties. Pant, on the other hand, has already accumulated 1976 runs in just 30 games, averaging 39.52 with five centuries and six fifties. These figures suggest that Pant is not only scoring more runs but also converting starts into big scores more frequently than Dhoni did in similar conditions.
Pant's recent record-breaking spree further strengthens his case. During his innings against England, he surpassed Dhoni for the most Test centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper. He also equaled Kumar Sangakkara for the most Test hundreds by a designated wicketkeeper from Asia. Furthermore, Pant has overtaken Dhoni in terms of runs scored by an Asian wicketkeeper-batter in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia). He now holds the record for most sixes for an Indian wicketkeeper in Tests.
However, the comparison is not without its nuances. While Pant's batting exploits are undeniable, Dhoni's wicketkeeping skills are widely regarded as exceptional. Dhoni holds the record for the fifth-most dismissals in Test cricket as a wicketkeeper, with 256 catches and 38 stumpings. While Pant is improving his glovework, he still has some way to go to match Dhoni's consistency and sharpness behind the stumps. Some argue that Dhoni's calmness and strategic acumen as a captain also added immense value to the Indian team, a dimension that is difficult to quantify statistically.
Ultimately, declaring Pant as definitively "better" than Dhoni at this stage of his career might be premature. Dhoni's legacy as a match-winner, captain, and an inspiration to millions is firmly etched in cricket history. However, Pant's fearless approach, record-breaking performances, and ability to thrive in challenging conditions have undoubtedly established him as a special talent. Whether he can maintain this trajectory and ultimately surpass Dhoni's overall impact remains to be seen, but the debate itself is a testament to the excitement and promise that Pant brings to the game. It is worth noting that Pant is still only 27, suggesting he has a long career ahead of him to continue to build on his already impressive accomplishments.
