Rishabh Pant Should Never Compare Himself With MS Dhoni: MSK Prasad

India’s fresh blood wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant hardly made an impact in the team so far. Though he has great confidence in himself, his inability to withstand at the crease for a while is haunting him like hell. Meanwhile, India’s chairman of selectors MSK Prasad has a word of advice for Rishabh Pant so that the young batsman can go on to become the next big thing in Indian cricket.

The chief selector reckons the struggling Pant is putting himself under unwanted pressure by trying to prove himself worthy as MS Dhoni’s successor. MSK Prasad wants Pant to back his talent in order to get right back on track. Not a long ago, the supremely talented player was India’s No.1 option in all three formats but has come under fire for his string of low scores.

With Wriddhiman Saha back in the Test team, he has now lost his place in Test playing XI and his position in the limited-overs format also doesn’t look good. Nonetheless, the team management and selectors are giving him more freedom and space to back him. MSK Prasad said that Pant is going through a rough patch now and a couple of good cameos from him will help him revive his confidence levels.

“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,” Chairman of chief selectors who is nearing the end of his term was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Pant should never compare himself with MS Dhoni: MSK Prasad

Prasad, who was roped in as selection committee chief in 2016, said Pant should never try to fill MS Dhoni’s shoes. He said that Pant himself should realise his own potential and grow as a big player. The former Indian wicket-keeper batsman added that it is not fair for Pant to compare himself with the Indian legend MS Dhoni. He wanted Pant to dictate tempo on his own rather than trying to step into Dhoni’s big boots.

“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. MSD has built his career and image playing for over a decade and a half. His confidence stems from his stellar performances both at domestic and international levels.

Suddenly when one starts comparing himself with that legend, then subconsciously you are putting enormous pressure on yourself. Personally I feel Rishabh is an unbelievable talent and he should believe and back his abilities and instincts rather than stepping into someone else’s shoes,” added MSK Prasad.

Also Read: 3 Reasons Why Selectors Are Giving More Chances To Rishabh Pant