Former Pakistan national cricket team batsman Basit Ali has spoken about the comparison between MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant. He said that there should be no comparison at all as Dhoni has achieved a lot for the Indian national cricket team while Pant is still in the early stages of his career.
Young Indian wicketkeeper Pant has made great strides in international cricket, especially in the Test format. Moreover, his record in the longest format of the game has been exceptional and is already better than some of the greats of Indian cricket.
Basit Ali weighs in on the Pant-Dhoni debate
It is noteworthy that Pant has won India numerous matches in overseas conditions and has scored centuries in Tests in Australia, England and South Africa, something no Indian wicketkeeper has achieved. He made his comeback to Test cricket in the recently concluded first Test against the Bangladesh National Cricket Team.
And it was a great comeback for him in Test cricket. After playing a valuable knock of 39 runs, he scored a fantastic century in the second innings. The wicketkeeper-batsman played an attacking innings and scored 109 runs which helped India win the game and go 1-0 up in the two-match Test series.
Rishabh Pant’s consistent performance for the team in Test cricket had many comparing him to MS Dhoni. Few even rated him as better than the wicket-keeper batsman, and the debate has grabbed the spotlight on the internet.
However, Basit Ali was not happy with the comparison between Rishabh Pant and MS Dhoni. He highlighted the latter’s contribution to the Indian team and stated that the youngster is performing and people should let him focus on his game.
He further cited examples of people comparing Shubman Gill to Virat Kohli, and Basit Ali highlighted that if both Rishabh Pant and MS Dhoni come to the same ground, the support will tell who is ahead. In a video posted on his YouTube channel, he explained:
“I don’t know how you come up with such things. Is Rishabh Pant better than MS Dhoni? Please forgive me, MS Dhoni was a leader. He won the World Cup for India, the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup. Rishabh Pant is performing now, let him concentrate on the game. What kind of sentences are these? I will give two small examples. Those who want to understand, please understand.
“Will you compare Virat Kohli with Gill? Everyone will say no. Right now, MS Dhoni has left all cricket except IPL. Even now, when MS Dhoni comes to the field, the applause will tell you about his madness. On the same field, Rishabh Pant will also come. That’s how I will make you decide. Leave acting.”
There should be no comparison: Basit Ali on Rishabh Pant vs MS Dhoni
Basit Ali further added that Rishabh Pant should continue playing the way he is doing and when his career ends only comparisons will be justified. He also said that things are done through proper channels in Indian cricket while it is not the case in Pakistan. He added:
“What has happened now, let it happen more. When Rishabh Pant is at the end of his career, only then will there be a comparison. Do you understand, brothers? There should be no comparison. Dhoni was the leader.
“After Azharuddin, Sourav Ganguly brought the boys. With Sourav, MS came and brought the boys. Through proper channels, a system is being implemented. Our (Pakistan) captains are not letting players come so that they don’t lose their place. There is a difference between Indian and Pakistani cricket. It is a painful thing, but it is the truth,” he concluded.