Sanjay Manjrekar claims Rishabh Pant has MS Dhoni-like skill, and it's not wicketkeeping

Reputed cricket commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has heaped praises on Rishabh Pant for his defensive technique during IND vs BAN 1st Test in Chennai. Manjrekar also feels like Pant’s defensive show in the match was like former India wicketkeeper MS Dhoni.

Rishabh Pant returned to Tests with IND vs BAN 1st Test in Chennai. Due to a road accident, Pant could not return to the field for more than a year. He is the first-choice wicketkeeper for India in the longest format.

India vs Bangladesh was his comeback game for the Test side. He gave a wonderful show in the match, hitting a century in the 2nd innings. Pant got out cheaply in the 1st innings.

However, he hit 109 runs in the 2nd innings to entertain Indian fans to the fullest. With the ton, he also marked his return to Tests. During his knock, he played 176 balls and slammed 10 fours and 4 sixes.

Rishabh Pant has got a better balance: Manjrekar

Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar hailed Rishabh Pant for his magnificent knock. He noted that Pant has got a better balance while batting after his return.

“If at all, he looks even better now. Remember the Pant of earlier, a couple of years back, was a Pant that you would find very often being out of balance. He didn't care about it as long as the ball was landing in the second tier”, Manjrekar said.

“Now that scenario you don't see as much with Rishabh Pant. Even in the T20 World Cup and whatever cricket he's played after that. So he's got a better balance, maybe not putting that much strain on his body”, the former India opener further added.

Also Read: Watch: Rishabh Pant misses Shakib Al Hasan’s easy stumping, Bangladesh all-rounder rubs salt in his wounds

Rishabh Pant’s defensive technique is similar to MS Dhoni: Sanjay Manjrekar

Manjrekar also noted that Rishabh Pant played many dot balls during his innings like Shubman Gill. Hence, he liked his defensive technique while batting. He also added that MS Dhoni used to have a similar defensive technique in Tests.

“Underneath that, when you see his innings, you'll see as many dot balls as Shubham Gill. So he's willing to also, you know, play the dead defensive game that you've seen many times in the past”.

“And he's got a pretty, you know, decent defensive technique, a bit like Dhoni. His defensive technique was quite good. People talk about his leadership and the big-hitting power that Dhoni had. But his defence in Test match cricket was pretty good. So glad to see him back for India”, Manjrekar added.

Also Read: Watch: Rishabh Pant flies like a Spiderman to save runs as Rohit Sharma's reaction takes away the spotlight

Pant and Gill lead the batting from the front in the 2nd innings

Notably, after Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal got out cheaply in the 2nd innings, Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill led from the front. Both of them slammed centuries to drive the target to a gigantic 515.

Bangladesh bowlers were helpless against the dual batting attack by Pant and Gill. Both of them etched a partnership of 167 runs in the match. India declared at 287-7 in the 2nd innings.

Later, they bundled out Bangladesh for 234 in the final innings to win the match by 280 runs. Ravichandran Ashwin won the Player of the Match award for his magnificent show with both bat and ball.

Ashwin slammed a century in the 1st innings and later picked up 6 wickets in the 2nd innings. India has gained a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. They will clash with Bangladesh in the 2nd Test in Kanpur.