Rishabh Pant should not compare himself with MS Dhoni: MSK Prasad

MSK Prasad had one of his biggest challenges as the chief selector in handling the talent of Rishabh Pant. The 22-year-old has a massive potential to become a natural successor to the legendary MS Dhoni but somehow, that potential hasn’t yet reflected in the reality, leaving many frustrated. The Delhi wicket-keeper-batsman grabbed eyeballs with his two Test centuries overseas and a good show in the Indian Premier League but he has not been as successful in the limited-over international games.

What has earned Pant a backlash is his throwing away wickets at crunch moments, even if it is as important a game as World Cup semi-final. Prasad has also found it difficult to cope with the Pant story. While his panel came under fire for not picking Pant initially for the World Cup squad six months ago, it is now facing the fans’ ire for sticking with Pant despite his ordinary shows and not picking alternatives like Sanju Samson.

Pant has been preferred for the upcoming twin limited-overs series against the West Indies at home and MSK Prasad, while expressing his trust in the former, has also asked him not to compare himself with Dhoni. The former India keeper conceded that Pant is going through a rough phase and said the team management is doing its best to bring him back to form. He said the young keeper has his own identity and that he should back his own instincts.

Management working hard to bring Pant back to form

“Rishabh is going through a bit of a rough period. He needs a couple of good knocks that can bring him back to his best. I had a discussion with the team management on this and they said that they are seriously working on him to bring him back to his best”, Republic TV cited agencies quoting MSK Prasad as saying.

On Pant’s comparison with Dhoni, Prasad said the latter had built his career and image by playing for a decade and a half. He said Dhoni’s confidence comes from his “stellar performance” both in domestic and international games.  “Rishabh should also realise that he has his own identity and he should never compare himself with MSD which I feel is working on his mind,” the 44-year-old further said.

Prasad is nearing the end of his tenure as the selector but could get an extension of two years, if the reports are to be believed. The decision on retaining him is likely to be taken at the BCCI’s annual general meeting on December 1.

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