Stop comparing Rishabh Pant with Adam Gilchrist: Sachin Tendulkar

Former Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar reckons that Rishabh Pant should not be compared with Adam Gilchrist or any other wicket-keeper. The veteran cricketer stated that the young wicket-keeper should be allowed to create his own identity instead of pressurizing him with constant comparisons. Rishabh Pant has had an exceptional year with the Indian cricket team. The contribution of Rishabh Pant has been immense in the last two series. The youngster has played numerous match-winning knocks against Australia and England. Pant's great innings have boosted his reputation in the cricketing world.

Rishabh Pant has the X-factor when it comes to Test cricket: Sachin Tendulkar

The wicket-keeper batsman was often criticized for his reckless approach. Also, head coach Ravi Shastri said that he had urged the 23-year-old to work on his fitness. Pant also had an ordinary IPL in 2020, following which he was not considered as India's first-choice wicket-keeper. However, after the Men in Blue were bowled out for 36 in the first Test in Adelaide, Pant found his way back into the team. The batsman continued his excellent form in the home series against England. He also reclaimed his position in the limited-overs sides. Pant is undoubtedly termed India's trump card in the onrushing ICC World Test Championship Final (WTC) against New Zealand and the five-match Test series against England. 

Rishabh Pant has taken his batting to an entirely different level. He has often troubled the opposition team with his aggressive playing style. The southpaw has a formidable record in red-ball cricket. He has smashed 1358 runs in 20 Tests at 45.27 with three centuries and six fifties. Talking about the limited-over formats, the youngster has amassed 1041 runs in 51 matches so far.

Speaking to Sports Today in the lead-up to the WTC final, Sachin Tendulkar highlighted that Pant had been criticized for his approach, which at times looked 'irresponsible. However, Sachin clarified that each batter has his own way of scoring runs. Tendulkar reckoned that he could see flashes of Adam Gilchrist in the way Rishabh Pant goes about his innings in the purest format of the game. He signed off by saying that the young wicketkeeper-batsman has the ability to turn things around in favor of India in a matter of hours.

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