Rishabh Pant, the young wicket-keeper batsman, has often found himself compared to legendary Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, particularly for his aggressive playing style and impact behind the stumps. However, Pant has made it clear that while the comparisons are flattering, he prefers to carve his own path rather than emulate Dhoni.
Pant recently returned to Test cricket in style during India’s 280-run victory over Bangladesh in the first Test at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium. After a lengthy absence since December 2022, he made a dream comeback, scoring 39 and a match-winning 109 in the second innings, helping India set a challenging target.
‘This is CSK’s home ground, and Mahi bhai has played a lot here’ – Rishabh Pant
When asked about the constant comparisons to Dhoni, especially playing at the iconic CSK home ground, Pant emphasized that he focuses on being his authentic self. “This is CSK’s home ground, and Mahi bhai has played a lot here. But for me, I want to be myself. I don’t focus on what’s being said or happening around me. I keep things simple and focus on giving my best. The atmosphere was amazing, and I really enjoyed it,” Pant said after the match.
Reflecting on his mindset during the match, Pant credited his success to keeping things straightforward and adapting to the situation. “I played according to the conditions. They started with spinners on Day 3, but I didn’t have a fixed plan. I knew we had lost wickets, so I avoided taking too many risks. The pitch was good for batting, and I wanted to make the most of it and score a hundred,” he added.
Pant has been a key player for India in Test cricket, with 2,419 runs from 34 matches at an average of 44.79, including six centuries and 11 half-centuries.
