Pant recently became the fastest player globally to hit 100 Test sixes.
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer stated that Rishabh Pant has an edge over MS Dhoni in Test cricket and would be the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in his all-time India Test XI.
Jaffer made the comment following India's dominant 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle, where Pant registered scores of 39 and 66.
During his quickfire half-century in the second innings, the southpaw scripted history by becoming the first Indian and the fastest player globally to hit 100 Test sixes. He reached the milestone in just 89 innings and from only 4,918 deliveries, shattering the previous records held by Australian legend Adam Gilchrist (137 innings and 6,578 balls).
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Jaffer declared Rishabh Pant as one of India’s best-ever players in the longest format.
“If I had to pick India's best-ever team, Rishabh Pant has to be there because of the kind of batting he has done and the innings he has played. I think he is one of the best, and he selects himself. I feel he is an automatic selection in the Test team. Absolutely, I would pick Rishabh Pant because of his batting ability. His keeping is also getting better, but the batting ability and match-winning ability he possesses, and the kind of innings he has played in such a short career, I think Rishabh Pant has an edge over MS Dhoni,” Jaffer said.
Jaffer also explained why Pant excels as a Test batter for India, highlighting his understanding of the game's rhythm, the advantage of attacking fields, and his solid technique despite struggles in other formats.
“I think one thing is that he plays in such a way that he has understood the rhythm of Test cricket and how to play it. Generally, when any batter comes in during a Test match, you initially keep the field up. And I think that is something that helps Rishabh Pant because in Test cricket, you don't directly put the field back for any batter. Eventually, you try to keep a few fielders up so that the batter tries to hit over the top and gets out,” Jaffer stated.
“I think that helps Rishabh Pant. Once he plays one or two shots, he gets going. So, I feel that helps him in Test cricket. Plus, he obviously has the technique. It is not as if there is any major flaw in his technique because he has scored runs everywhere. It is surprising that he struggles a little in other formats, but in Test cricket, he is probably one of India's best players, especially as a wicketkeeper-batter,” he further remarked.
Rishabh Pant has represented India in 51 Test matches, amassing 3,662 runs at an average of 43.60, including 8 centuries and 20 half-centuries. He will now return to action in the second Test against Sri Lanka, slated to begin on August 23.