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Rishabh Pant Vs MS Dhoni: Ricky Ponting Compares Star Wicket-Keepers In Test Cricket

Rishabh Pant (L) and MS Dhoni (R) [X]Rishabh Pant (L) and MS Dhoni (R) [X]

Rishabh Pant's return to red-ball cricket after nearly two years of absence was nothing short of remarkable. Having been away from the Test format, many wondered whether Pant would still hold his ground as one of India’s most promising wicket-keeper batters. 

In the first-round match of the Duleep Trophy 2024 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Pant quickly proved he was ready to reclaim his place in the Indian Test team. His solid performances, both with the bat and behind the stumps, reminded everyone why he is regarded as a critical player in India’s cricket lineup.

Rishabh Pant's ability to deliver match-winning performances, such as his iconic 89* run innings against Australia at the Gabba in 2021, has earned him a place among the elite. His aggressive style, combined with his technical skill, has often drawn comparisons with one of India’s greatest wicket-keeper batters, MS Dhoni.

Ricky Ponting's Comparison Of Pant And Dhoni

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, recently weighed in on the comparison between Pant and Dhoni. While Dhoni's career spanned over 90 Test matches, in which he scored six centuries, Pant, at just 26 years old, has already accumulated five centuries in only 33 matches. 

Ricky Ponting expressed admiration for Pant, acknowledging that he possesses an "infectious" energy, which makes him a winner at heart.

"We've all seen him play and heard him in the stump mic, he's an infectious character to have around the group. He loves his cricket, he's a winner, that's what he is. He doesn't just play to make a few runs and be out there for the fun of it. He must have 4 or 5 Test hundreds already and he's got about nine 90s as well. [MS] Dhoni played for 120 Tests (90) and made 3 or 4 hundreds (6), this is how good this guy (Pant) is. He's a serious cricketer,” Ponting said


Rishabh Pant’s Remarkable Comeback After Serious Accident 

Rishabh Pant's journey back to the cricket field wasn’t an easy one. On December 30, 2022, he met with a life-threatening accident, which sidelined him for almost 16 months. However, his comeback story in IPL 2024 and beyond has been nothing short of inspirational.

When Pant returned for IPL 2024, many thought he would play a limited role, possibly as an impact substitute. But he surprised everyone by playing in every match for the Delhi Capitals and emerging as one of their top run-scorers. 

Ponting described Pant's comeback as "remarkable," noting that not many players could have rebounded from such an ordeal with the same level of performance and mental toughness.

“It's a remarkable comeback. If you can see even his leg now and listen to the stories he tells about what he confronted during his car accident, just the mental scarring that comes with that but the physical side and the rehab he went through, I didn't think he would play last year's IPL (2024), " he further said.