Aakash Chopra has reignited a debate that Indian cricket fans know well- who is the greatest wicketkeeper-batter for India in Test cricket?
This time, the former opener leaned in favour of Rishabh Pant, pointing out that the left-hander’s numbers stack up impressively against MS Dhoni’s, despite the gulf in matches played.
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Pant has featured in 47 Tests so far, scoring 3427 runs at an average of 44.50. His tally includes eight centuries, two more than Dhoni’s six, even though Dhoni played 90 Tests.
What numbers did Aakash Chopra highlight in the Pant vs Dhoni comparison?
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra laid out the stats in simple terms. Dhoni’s Test record reads: 4876 runs from 90 matches, 144 innings, an average of 38.09, and six hundreds.
Pant, on the other hand, has already crossed Dhoni’s century count with eight hundreds in just 47 matches, nearly half the games.
"MS Dhoni is at the top in terms of the number of matches played and runs scored. He has played 90 games, 144 innings, scored 4876 runs at an average of 38.09, and has six centuries to his name. Rishabh Pant has struck six centuries in the last five years," Chopra said
"If we look at it overall, Rishabh Pant has already scored eight centuries and MS Dhoni had six centuries. Rishabh Pant is already in the second spot. He is 1400 runs behind MS Dhoni and has played nearly half the games. If he plays more, he will obviously go ahead of MS Dhoni," he added.
How has Pant performed in recent series?
Pant’s form in the recently concluded Test series against England has only strengthened his case. Across seven innings, he piled up 479 runs at a stunning average of 68.42.
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