Rishabh Pant is best player to take the place of MS Dhoni, asserts Vijay Dahiya

11/09/2018

Former Indian player Vijay Dahiya has stated that Rishabh Pant looks to be the best option to fill the shoes of veteran Indian wicketkeeper MS Dhoni in all the formats of the game. After making his debut, Pant has impressed one and all with his performances in National team colours in all formats.

Ever since MS Dhoni retired from Test cricket in 2014, the search for a long term wicketkeeper has been going on in Indian cricket. Now, with the 2019 Cricket World Cup barely a few months away the need for that elusive player is expected to get dire as Dhoni is expected to take a decision about his career. Now Vijay Dahiya has come out and said that looking at the recent performances that Pant has put in during the Test series against England and Windies, the youngster looks to be the best long-term option.

“The way the Indian team is playing right now, they are looking for a wicket-keeper who is an all-rounder. Parthiv Patel has given his bit, Dinesh Karthik has been given chances many times, but the way Rishabh Pant has grabbed the opportunities in Tests, it stands out,” Dahiya told TOI.

“Pant bats like a match-winner."

Pant made his debut against England and immediately impressed everyone with his quick 24 runs in his first innings. In fact, he started his International career as a batsman by hitting a six over the bowler’s head. He also made a century against England and had a couple of ninties scores before he played his first ODI against the Windies. But, he is yet to score big in the shorter formats of the game.

“We have got an excellent option in Pant. With every international outing, he is going to be better and better. He is phenomenal. The more he plays, the better he becomes. For Tests, if selectors want to look up to Wriddhiman Saha, they can, but for me Pant is in front in every format,” Dahiya said.

Dahiya, a former wicketkeeper himself, also said that it is not easy to fill Dhoni’s shoes. Dhoni has played 90 Test matches and 332 ODIs for India and his Wicketkeeping skills are rated the best in the World.

“Pant’s inclusion with Dhoni is a signal that Indian cricket is looking forward. It is difficult to fill Dhoni’s shoes but the way Pant is performing, he will in time,” Dahiya said.

“Dhoni is a legend of the game. He has changed the face of Indian cricket,” Dahiya, who played 2 Tests and 19 ODIs for India," he added.