Rishabh Pant responds to comparisons with MS Dhoni: 'I want to be myself'

India vs Bangladesh: Rishabh Pant made a memorable return to Test cricket, hitting a hundred in his first outing in whites for India in nearly two years. Pant hit a hundred in Chennai, a venue that adores his idol, MS Dhoni.

In Short

• Rishabh Pant hit his sixth Test hundred in India's win in Chennai
• Pant equalled MS Dhoni's record for most Test hundred by Indian wicketkeepers
• Pant spoke about his ability to bat in different gears in Test cricket

Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant played down comparisons with MS Dhoni, stating that he is focused on carving his own legacy. After scoring a match-winning hundred in the Chennai Test against Bangladesh, Pant emphasised that his priority is giving his best in every game, especially after returning from a life-threatening road accident two years ago.

Pant's seamless return to Test cricket erased any doubts about his ability to adapt to the demands of red-ball cricket. He played a gritty knock of 39 in the first innings, followed by a well-composed century in the second, which was instrumental in India's 280-run victory in Chennai on Sunday.

With this hundred, Pant equaled MS Dhoni's record for six centuries-the most by an Indian wicketkeeper in Test cricket. While Dhoni achieved this milestone in 90 Tests, Pant reached it in just 34.

Pant was in full flow during his first Test in two years, marking a remarkable comeback after surviving a near-fatal car crash in December 2022. His hard work during recovery and rehabilitation paid off, allowing him to return successfully to international cricket in 2024.

"This is CSK's home ground. Mahi bhai has played a lot of cricket here. But, for me, like I have said before, I want to be myself. I don't focus on what's being said or what's happening around me. I keep things simple and focus on giving my best. The atmosphere here was amazing, and I really enjoyed it," Pant told the broadcasters.

Pant has been compared to Dhoni ever since his debut in 2018, and while his X-factor in the batting lineup has been evident, his wicketkeeping has also improved significantly, particularly on spin-friendly Indian pitches.

PANT ON DIFFERENT GEARS TO BATTING

On Day 3 of the Test, Pant showcased his ability to bat in different gears, reminding everyone of his defensive skills. He teamed up with Shubman Gill after India lost early wickets in their second innings, taking time to settle before accelerating in the second session. Pant's patient defence and willingness to leave deliveries showed that he wasn't fazed by his aggressive reputation. After Lunch, however, he unleashed his attacking strokes, bringing up his century with a flurry of boundaries.

Pant later revealed that captain Rohit Sharma had instructed him to speed up as India was considering declaring during the second session on Saturday. Both Pant and Gill reached their centuries before India declared, setting Bangladesh a daunting 515-run target.

"I kept my thought process simple and played according to the situation. They started with spinners on Day 3, but I don't go out with a predetermined way of playing. I knew we had lost three wickets, so I was conscious of not taking too many risks to avoid exposing the tail after Rahul bhai. The pitch was good for batting, and I wanted to make the most of it and score a hundred," Pant explained.

"When we went to Lunch, there was talk about a declaration. Rohit Sharma told us he'd give us an hour after the break and that we could score as many as we could. I thought I might even be able to get to 150," he added.

Pant impressed behind the stumps as well. Despite having suffered multiple knee injuries, he had no trouble keeping for extended periods, pulling off dives with ease and without any signs of discomfort.

Pant admitted he was nervous before the comeback Test, but his performance in Chennai will undoubtedly boost his confidence. The highly-rated wicketkeeper-batter will play a crucial role in India's long Test season ahead.