Ex-India wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel doesn't consider himself unlucky to have played in the same era as MS Dhoni, one of the great wicket-keepers. Parthiv said he got opportunities before Dhoni but failed to utilize them.
Speaking on The Curtly Karishma Show, Parthiv said his performances were not good enough and he had to make way for Dhoni. “Honestly speaking, I don’t look at it that way (whether he was unlucky). I had the first crack at the Indian team, before Dhoni," Parthiv said.
"I was dropped because my performances were not up to the mark in international cricket. Then MS Dhoni came in. I can’t say that I was unlucky because I did not get to play more. I had already played 19 Test matches before getting dropped. I also cannot say that I did not get enough opportunities. 19 Test matches is a lot."
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Parthiv made his Test debut for India in 2002 at the age of 17. He played 25 Tests, 38 ODIs, and 2 T20Is for India before quitting all forms of cricket in 2020.
The southpaw couldn't get into the Indian playing XI much after Dhoni became a regular part of the side. "Having said, after MS Dhoni came in, maybe I would have made a comeback. But I don’t see myself as unlucky. Coming from a place where I was, I feel absolute privilege at where I am. 25 Test matches, I would have taken that with both hands in 2002, when I made my Test debut,” he added.
Parthiv further spoke on the ongoing debate over the greatest Indian team. He feels the teams can't be compared as they are from different eras.
“Obviously, there is a debate over which is the greatest Indian team. The eras were different. You cannot just compare teams. What this team is doing right now is completely unbelievable. That does not mean that the teams of the past were not that great," Parthiv said.
"In early 2000s, no one thought India could win even a Test match in England or Australia. The Headingley Test in 2002 was an absolute green top, where India went on to win. In 2007, India won a series in England. But yes, I would say this side has more options. There are a lot of replacements ready."
