The young Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, Rishabh Pant was been booed and mocked by the Indian team for his poor performances. He became one of the most discussed cricketers around the world, however, for all the wrong reasons. And if that wasn’t enough, the chants of ‘Dhoni Dhoni’ used to echo in the stadiums every time after he made a mistake behind the stumps.
Well, former Chief Selector of the Indian cricket team MSK Prasad gave his take on Rishabh Pant’s rapid rise in the international cricket and the things that led to his downfall.
Recently in an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, MSK Prasad talked about Pant’s chances to take MS Dhoni’s spot in the Indian cricket team.
MSK Prasad feels that the constant comparisons between MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant are not helping anyhow. He said:
“Every time when Rishabh steps in, he is always compared with MS Dhoni, and probably, he is also getting caught in that euphoria. Many times, we spoke to him that he has to get over it,”
MSK Prasad then recalled the conversations the selection committee used to have with Rishabh Pant. He said:
“‘Mahi is an absolutely different personality, and you are different, you are also phenomenal, you also have talent, that’s why we are backing you,” the team management used to tell Pant.
Furthermore, MSK Prasad claimed that Rishabh Pant was always in the shadow of MS Dhoni, and infact had started comparing himself with the legend. He revealed:
“He always was in this shadow of MSD. He started comparing himself with him. He started sort of copying him, even in mannerisms and all, if you see the way he does all that sort of stuff,”
Concluding his take on Rishabh Pant’s career, MSK Prasad said that he feels that Dhoni’s retirement would help Pant come out stronger.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant will soon be seen back in action as he would be playing for his team Delhi Capitals in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League, which kickstart from 19th September in UAE.
