Comparisons with MS Dhoni unfair, it will take Rishabh Pant years to get close, says Yuvraj Singh

Once again, Indian cricket is at a junction where they have to decide whether to cut ties with a legendary figure and back a youngster to succeed him. We did this with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, and now we’re doing it with India’s World Cup-winning captain Dhoni. 

As per popular and expert opinion, the lot fell on 21-year-old Pant to take up the mantle of the cool customer behind the stumps/match-winning middle-order batsman. However, since the 2019 World Cup, the frustration around Pant has grown into levels where people are now calling to have his head on a platter, not literally of course. Yuvraj, who himself hung up his boots earlier this year, had his say on the matter while on the sidelines of 'The Sports Movement' summit in New Delhi.

"It is unfair to compare him (Rishabh) with MS (Dhoni). It took a lot of years to become MS Dhoni and it will take a lot of years for Rishabh Pant to go close to him. MS Dhoni's replacement is going to take a lot of time," Yuvraj told PTI.

There was a time when Yuvi and his slightly older partner MS would single-handedly take India home from seemingly impossible situations. While Yuvraj’s career was hindered heavily by his battle against cancer, Dhoni has seen his career take a sharp dip in terms of finishing heroics. And stemming from that reason, his future in international cricket has been a subject of intense speculation since the conclusion of the World Cup.

"I think it's unfair to him. The guy (Dhoni) has done so much for Indian cricket. He has been the most successful Indian captain, so you got to give him time," Yuvraj said.

"He needs to decide when he wants to go out. He needs to take that call. If he wants to still play, that's his call and we need to respect that," Yuvraj added.