India vs Australia 2019: Not Right to Compare Rishabh Pant With MS Dhoni - Shikhar Dhawan

India’s southpaw opener Shikhar Dhawan believes it is not right to compare the legendary MS Dhoni with novice Rishabh Pant. Dhoni has been rested from the last two One Day Internationals against Australia and thus Rishabh Pant was handed over the wicketkeeping baton. However, Pant failed to impress behind the stumps as he fluffed the chance of stumping Ashton Turner, who turned the match on its head with his blistering 84.

Furthermore, Rishabh Pant was trying to be cheeky which worked against him as he also conceded one extra run when he tried to hit the stumps by throwing between his legs. In fact, there were chants of MS Dhoni when Rishabh Pant made howlers behind the stumps.

Pant will take some time.

However, Rishabh Pant has impressed in the red ball version but he is yet to grab his chance in the limited overs format. The southpaw batsman had scored 36 runs off 24 balls with the help of four fours and one six.

Shikhar Dhawan said while talking in the post-match press conference, “See, Rishabh is a young bloke and like any other player, you have to give time to the youngsters. One cannot compare Rishabh Pant to MS Dhoni considering Dhoni’s vast experience while Rishabh Pant is still finding his feet. Of course, had the stumping chance taken, it could have turned the game. Having said that, the game slipped away from our hands quite quickly after that the dew also played its part in the game. But that’s what it is”.

On the other hand, Shikhar Dhawan returned back to form as he was able to hit the ground running. Dhawan had not scored a century in the last 17 ODIs and brought his best to the table. He clobbered his career-best score of 143 off just 115 balls with the help of 18 fours and three sixes. However, his blistering century went in vain as Australia recorded their highest chase.

On the other hand, Rishabh Pant still needs to learn his lessons. He is still new to the International circuit and he will take some time to settle at the topmost level. Pant has a combative batting style but he needs to work on his wicketkeeping skills as he is a bit clumsy behind the stumps.

Australia has made a solid comeback as they have won the last two matches to draw level in the series. The decider of the five-match ODI series will take place in Delhi on 13th March.