Former Indian wicketkeeper Kiran More believes that Rishabh Pant has it in him to break MS Dhoni's records.
The 58-year-old has expressed his disappointment about Pant not getting chances in India despite good performances in England and Australia. After playing a series each in both of these countries, the left-hander had become the first Indian wicketkeeper to score Test hundreds in England and Australia.
While Pant performed well with the bat, his wicketkeeping was always doubted in Indian conditions. As a result, Wriddhiman Saha was always preferred over the youngster to take the gloves against the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja on turning tracks.
Kiran More told News18.com, "I have always wondered why Pant was not played in India earlier. Pant did very well in England in his maiden appearance. He did very well in Australia in 2018-19. But, when they played in India, he was not allowed to keep wickets.”
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The 23-year-old from Delhi worked very hard to improve his wicketkeeping skills and has cemented a place in the Indian Test squad now irrespective of the pitch or the conditions on offer.
“Unless and until he plays on Indian turning tracks, he is not going to learn. This time, he got an opportunity to play. Once he plays on turning tracks, only then will he learn. He is only 23 years. If you don’t allow him to keep wickets in India and only play him abroad, his growth is only going to drop,” he added.
Further, More said that the best way to improve one’s wicketkeeping skills is to keep against the best spinners and pacers in the world and luckily for Pant, Team India has both. While speaking about the same, the former cricketer also said that he will break MS Dhoni’s records in the future.
“You learn every day. You learn by keeping on different pitches with varying soil types. You learn by keeping to the best spinners and pacers in the world that India has at the moment. You have to learn by observing. He will break MS Dhoni’s records. If you don’t learn, you will be found wanting. With experience, Pant will go a long way,” he concluded.
