Rishabh Pant vs Adam Gilchrist: Ricky Ponting compares the two
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting believes his compatriot Adam Gilchrist and Indian wicket-keeper-batter Rishabh Pant have several common attributes. Ponting has watched both stalwarts from close quarters. Legendary wicket-keeper Gilchrist played under Ponting in 2000s. Meanwhile, Ponting is the head coach of IPL franchise Delhi Capitals, led by Pant. Ponting feels the duo has a similar approach while batting.
Here is what Ponting said
Ponting talked about the similarities between Pant and Gilchrist in an exclusive interview with the International Cricket Council (ICC). "Yeah, [they are] little bit the same. I know Rishabh's really burst onto the scene, but let's just let him play his 50-60 Test matches first before we start making comparisons to one of the all-time great wicket-keeper batters," he said.
Pant has been India's match-winner
Pant has been India's match-winner across formats of late. The left-handed batter is known for his gutsy knocks in Test cricket. His heroics at the Gabba helped India seal the Border-Gavaskar Trophy last year. The youngster has racked up 3,039 runs from 93 international games at 33.03. He has slammed four hundreds and 13 fifties so far. As a wicket-keeper, Pant has 143 dismissals.
First Asian wicket-keeper to score a Test century in SA
Earlier this year, Pant became the first wicket-keeper from India to score a Test century in South Africa. He attained the feat in the third Test at Newlands, Cape Town. Pant also became the first Asian wicket-keeper to score a Test century in the nation.
One of the greatest wicket-keeper batters
Australia's Gilchrist is one of the greatest wicket-keeper batters in international cricket. He used to open the innings alongside Matthew Hayden in One-Day Internationals. The left-handed batter served Australia's middle order in Test cricket. In a career spanning over a decade (1996-2008), Gilchrist smashed 15,461 runs at 38.94 (33 centuries). To date, he has the second-most dismissals as wicket-keeper (905) in international cricket.
Ponting highlights the personalities of Pant and Gilchrist
As per Ponting, both Pant and Gilchrist have different personalities. "If you think about their personalities - Rishabh is a lot more outward, a lot louder, a lot noisier and ultra-competitive. Gilly was ultra-competitive as well, but a lot quieter and reserved, until he got his bat in his hand and then he became exactly the same as Rishabh."
Most dismissals by a wicket-keeper in an ODI series
Gilchrist holds the record for recording most dismissals by a wicket-keeper in an ODI series (either bilateral or tournament). He registered 27 dismissals in the Carlton and United Series (Australia, England, and Sri Lanka in Australia) in 1998/99.
