MS Dhoni is a legend and I don't want people to compare: Rishab Pant

The 2011 World Cup-winning captain might decide to retire from international cricket after the ICC World Cup 2019, but young wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who many people see as Dhoni's successor, feels that Dhoni is a legend and don't want people to compare him with the veteran

In the recently concluded five match ODI series against Australia, Former India skipper MS Dhoni did not feature in the last two ODI games with young wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant struggling to fill in the former India captain's shoes. The visitors beat fancied India in the fifth and final ODI at the Feroz Shah Kotla for a stunning come-from-behind 3-2 series win.

Not just as a reliable batsman and wicketkeeper, Dhoni's guidance in the field was also missed in the last two matches that India lost against Aussies.

The 2011 World Cup-winning captain might decide to retire from international cricket after the ICC World Cup 2019, but young wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who many people see as Dhoni's successor, feels that Dhoni is a legend and don't want people to compare him with the veteran. Pant said that he is very close to Dhoni and wants to learn as much as possible from him.

"I'm not thinking about it too much because as a player, I want to learn from him. He (MS Dhoni) is a legend and I don't want people to compare. I'm close to him also, I talk to him about everything, how can I improve my game on and off the field," Rishabh Pant said as quoted by ANI.

Delhi boy Pant had faced criticism after a shoddy job behind the stumps during the fourth ODI in Mohali.

Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting defended under-fire Rishabh Pant, advocating the youngster to be Dhoni's deputy in the upcoming World Cup.

"If he can win a couple of games for us (IPL side Delhi Capitals) then everything will be forgotten. I can't see anyone better than him as a second wicketkeeper in that Indian World Cup squad," Ponting, who is the head coach of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Delhi Capitals, said on Saturday.