Former Indian national cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly has heaped praise on wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant. He said that the left-hander is on the verge of becoming one of the all-time best in Test cricket but also admitted that the southpaw needs to improve in the shorter formats of the game.

Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has done many great things for the team in his short Test career. He is already considered India’s best wicketkeeper for what he has done for the team in pressure situations and also for helping the team achieve some of its famous victories.

Rishabh Pant was one of the main reasons behind India’s Test series win in Australia in their last two tours. He scored a Test century in their first tour in Australia and then after that, he performed two stupendous knocks in the next tour including an 89 at Gabba that helped India win the series.

Not just in Australia, Rishabh Pant has proved his prowess across the world. The wicketkeeper-batsman has scored hundreds in Test matches in England and South Africa. He is the first Indian wicketkeeper to have registered hundreds in Australia, England and South Africa.

While his success in Test cricket has been evident, Pant has not lived up to expectations in white-ball cricket. The wicketkeeper-batsman has had his moments but has not been consistent for the team in ODIs and T20Is, which has even seen him receive criticism.

Sourav Ganguly highlighted Rishabh Pant’s success in Test cricket and said that the wicketkeeper-batsman will continue to find success in the longest format of the game. He admitted that the left-hander has not done well in white-ball cricket but can become one of the best with time. Speaking to reporters, he explained (as quoted by PTI):

“I consider Rishabh Pant to be one of India’s best Test batsmen. I am not surprised that he is back in the team and continuing to play for India in Tests.

“He will be one of the all-time greats in Tests if he continues to perform like this. For me, he needs to improve in the shorter formats. With the talent he has, I am sure that in time he will become one of the best.”

Rishabh Pant has been named in the Indian squad for the upcoming Bangladesh Tests. The series will mark his return to Test cricket after December 2022.

“I don’t see Bangladesh winning; India will win the series,” said Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly also spoke about the upcoming Test series between India and Bangladesh. He praised the Najmul Hossain Shanto-led team for winning the series in Pakistan but claimed that they will not be able to win in India. He added:

“Going to Pakistan and beating them is never easy, so I congratulate the players. But India will be a different case; India, whether at home or away, are a fantastic team with a very strong batting team.

“I don’t think Bangladesh will win; India will win the series. But India should expect good, tough cricket from Bangladesh because they come into the series with a lot of confidence after beating Pakistan in Pakistan,” he concluded.