Not Adam Gilchrist or MS Dhoni! Zaheer Khan compares Rishabh Pant to Ex-Indian opener

Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan opened up about Rishabh Pant sharing similarities with legendary MS Dhoni and Adam Gilchrist in terms of style and impact. However, Zaheer Khan compared Rishabh Pant to his former teammate Virender Sehwag, adding that Sehwag was the more fitting comparison.

Rishabh Pant once said that he idolized Adam Gilchrist while growing up. Like Gilchrist, Pant is known for his aggressive batting approach and can keep the wickets and bat in the middle order. Gilchrist praised Pant as a "brilliant" player on social media during the India vs England Test series in 2021.

That Is the Right Comparison - Zaheer Khan

In an interview with Cricbuzz, Zaheer Khan stated that Virender Sehwag is the right comparison to Rishabh Pant in terms of style and having that kind of impact at the international level. However, Zaheer added that there are similarities between Pant and MS Dhoni and Adam Gilchrist.

"I would say Virender Sehwag. That is the right comparison, in terms of style and having that kind of impact at the international level. The names that you've mentioned also had a similar kind of approach. I think there is a resemblance," Zaheer said.

Virender Sehwag Had a Remarkable International Cricket Career

Virender Sehwag played 104 Tests and scored 8,586 runs at an average of 49.34 and a strike rate of 82.23. He recorded 32 fifties and 23 centuries and holds the record for the most triple centuries (2) by an Indian in Test cricket. Sehwag scored 8,273 runs in 251 ODIs, with 38 half-centuries and 15 centuries.

Rishabh Pant made his debut for India in a T20I match against West Indies in 2017. The wicketkeeper-batter has played 43 Tests, 31 ODIs, and 76 T20Is in his international cricket career so far. He was last seen in action during the Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra, where he failed to make an impact.

Rishabh Pant and Zaheer Khan to Work Together for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025

Rishabh Pant became the highest-paid player in IPL history when the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) acquired him for Rs 27 crore at the 2025 mega auction. The left-handed batter, previously with Delhi Capitals (DC) since his IPL debut in 2016, had captained DC from 2021 to 2024 (except for 2023 due to injury).

After recovering from a severe car accident in December 2022, he made a strong comeback in the 2024 season, scoring 446 runs in 13 matches at an average of 40.55. Pant was appointed LSG's captain on January 20, 2025. Over his IPL career, he led DC in 43 matches, winning 23, losing 19, and drawing one.

In August last year, the Super Giants appointed Zaheer Khan as their mentor for the 2025 IPL season. The 46-year-old had been with the Mumbai Indians from 2018 to 2022, where he held roles including director of cricket and head of global development. Zaheer will bring his expertise to work with the LSG team.

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