Following an impressive performance in the recent India vs England Test series, cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has predicted that Rishabh Pant will eventually surpass MS Dhoni’s run tally in Tests. Pant, who played four of the five matches and scored 479 runs with a fractured toe, is currently recovering from a right foot fracture.
Chopra, in a video on his YouTube channel, compared Pant’s record to that of Dhoni, who played 90 Tests and scored 4,876 runs with six centuries. In contrast, Pant has scored 3,427 runs at an average of 44.50 in just 47 Tests, with eight centuries—two more than Dhoni. “He is 1,400 runs behind MS Dhoni and has played nearly half the games. If he plays more, he will obviously go ahead of MS Dhoni,” Chopra said.
During the recent tour of England, Pant was in stellar form, amassing 479 runs in seven innings at an average of 68.42, including two centuries. Chopra noted that Pant is the only wicketkeeper to have scored over 1,000 runs in England and has four centuries and five half-centuries in the country.
Chopra also compared Pant to legendary Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist, who scored 5,570 runs in 96 matches. He stated that while Gilchrist is ahead, Pant could “also be caught” as he is only about 2,250 runs behind. Chopra concluded by calling Pant “India’s No. 1 wicketkeeper-batter ever” and predicted he will finish as one of the best in world cricket.