Rishabh Pant's sensational performance in the ongoing Test series against England has sparked considerable discussion and praise, with former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar suggesting that Pant could even surpass Rahul Dravid's record for most Test centuries by an Indian in England. This bold prediction follows Pant's remarkable twin centuries in the Leeds Test, a feat that has solidified his reputation as a game-changing player.

Manjrekar, speaking on "Match Centre Live," lauded Pant's achievements, drawing comparisons to legends like Dilip Vengsarkar, Sachin Tendulkar, and Sunil Gavaskar. He emphasized the significance of Pant's dual role as a wicketkeeper-batter, stating, "When you look at all of Rishabh Pant's achievements, the first instinct is to think of him purely as a batter — and understandably so... But here's the remarkable part — he's also a wicketkeeper. That's what makes it almost unbelievable." Manjrekar also noted that while Kumar Sangakkara had a phenomenal batting record, Pant is a superior wicketkeeper, making him India's first-choice in the Test side.

Pant's aggressive and instinctive batting style has often been a topic of debate. Some critics have pointed out that his approach sometimes seems more suited to limited-overs formats, leading to rash shots and unnecessary risks in Test cricket. However, this aggressive style has also been a key factor in his success, allowing him to quickly change the course of a match. KL Rahul, Pant's teammate, defended Pant's approach, saying, "It is hard for us to understand his mindset but you let Rishabh Pant be Rishabh Pant. There is obviously a method to his madness as he is averaging 45 in Test cricket. There is a lot of thinking about the outrageous shots he plays."

With his twin centuries in the Leeds Test, Pant's tally of Test tons in England has reached four, just two shy of Dravid's record of six. Manjrekar believes that with four matches still to be played in the series, Pant has a strong chance of matching or surpassing Dravid's record. "If you look at the numbers — most hundreds by Indians in Tests in England — Rahul Dravid leads with six. And suddenly, you have Pant's name in that same elite bracket," Manjrekar pointed out.

Pant's recent performance has not only drawn comparisons to Dravid but has also highlighted his unique position as a wicketkeeper-batter. His ability to perform both roles at such a high level is rare and adds immense value to the Indian team. As Manjrekar noted, Pant's achievements are "almost unbelievable" considering his dual responsibilities.

Former England cricketer David Lloyd has also praised Pant, describing him as a "beggar to play against," highlighting his disruptive influence on the opposition. Lloyd speculated that Pant's unconventional batting style must be annoying to England, adding that the ongoing series would offer fans plenty of entertainment thanks to him.