Rishabh Pant's twin centuries in the first Test against England at Headingley have ignited a wave of praise and comparisons to legendary wicketkeeper-batters, including Adam Gilchrist and MS Dhoni. Despite India's five-wicket defeat, Pant's fearless and flamboyant batting has captured the hearts of fans and pundits alike.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has been particularly vocal in his admiration for Pant, calling him a "game-changer" with a deep understanding of the game. Vaughan highlighted Pant's unorthodox strokeplay, including his trademark ramp shots and reverse scoops, which have drawn comparisons to some of the greatest wicketkeeper-batters in history. He noted that even England captain Ben Stokes seemed to admire Pant's batting.
"Adam Gilchrist is the best wicketkeeper-batter for me," Vaughan stated, "But Pant just set a new trend. MS Dhoni was brilliant in white-ball cricket, but Pant's Test record is far superior to his white-ball numbers". Vaughan sees Pant mirroring Gilchrist's success at number 7 for Australia, but doing it for India at number 5. He also expressed hope that Pant would replicate Dhoni's success in white-ball cricket.
Pant's aggressive approach and rapid scoring rate have been key to his success. Former India coach Greg Chappell likened Pant to Gilchrist, emphasizing the impact a wicketkeeper-batter can have on a team by scoring quick runs. Chappell noted that Pant's unusual shot selection is a testament to his reinvention of batting, made possible by modern technology and bats.
Other English legends, such as Alastair Cook and David Lloyd, have also lauded Pant. Cook pointed out Pant's competitive spirit, stating that his smile doesn't negate his desire to win. He emphasized that scoring two centuries in a Test match requires a strong will to succeed.
Pant's recent performance has propelled him to a career-best seventh position in the ICC Test rankings for batters. He equaled Andy Flower's record of being the only wicketkeepers to score two centuries in a Test match. Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka praised Pant's comeback story after his near-fatal car accident in December 2022, recognizing his record-breaking achievements and his inspiration to others.
Sanjay Manjrekar has also praised Pant, stating that he enjoys batting in Test cricket and possesses the mental fortitude to score centuries in both innings of a Test match, a hallmark of an exceptional player.
While comparisons to Dhoni are inevitable, Pant has already surpassed Dhoni's record of Test centuries for an Indian wicketkeeper. Pant has seven Test centuries in 44 matches, while Dhoni scored six in 90 games. Five of Pant's Test centuries have been scored in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia), whereas Dhoni never scored a century in those nations, boosting Pant's reputation as an overseas match-winner. Pant also has a higher Test batting average than Dhoni, signaling greater consistency.
Despite the praise, Pant's contributions weren't enough to secure a victory for India in the first Test. India's fragile lower order and inconsistent bowling were unable to capitalize on Pant's heroics. However, Pant's performance has undoubtedly set a new benchmark for wicketkeeper-batters in Test cricket, solidifying his place among the game's elite.
