Veteran Commentator Ian Smith Calls Rishabh Pant India’s Very Own Adam Gilchrist After T20 World Cup 2024 Showing in Top-Order
Former New Zealand cricketer believes it is too early to draw comparisons between Rishabh Pant and Adam Gilchrist, but he acknowledges that the Indian wicket-keeper batter has the potential to reach the heights of the Australian legend if he maintains his current performance level.
Smith, who also played as a wicket-keeper batter, has been impressed with Pant’s achievements since recovering from a severe car accident. Pant’s impressive run in the IPL has seamlessly transitioned into his performance in the T20 World Cup.
Rishabh Pant is widely regarded as one of the most thrilling talents in cricket today, having already notched Test centuries in Australia, England, and South Africa—an accomplishment his mentor MS Dhoni never managed. However, Smith points out that Pant still has a considerable journey ahead to rival Gilchrist, who scored over 15,000 runs in international cricket and secured more than 800 catches.
Ian Smith Calls Rishabh Pant is India’s Very Own Adam Gilchrist
“Rishabh Pant has made a remarkable comeback from his accident and is in excellent form. He’s dynamic, aggressive, and highly dangerous,” remarked Smith, who has become a highly respected commentator for the T20 World Cup.
“Ah yeah, well, he’s got a bit to go. But yes, similar type cricketer who can, in test cricket, bat down the order. And in white ball cricket can be back at the top of the order. So there’s that similarity with Gilchrist there. But if he continues on the same vein for a few more years, then people will say Gilchrist and Pant, yeah, very close,” the 67-year-old further said.
19:30 IST
