ABP EXCLUSIVE | Sourav Ganguly Lauds Rishabh Pant, Says 'He's As Good As MS Dhoni'

When asked to comment on the controversy over the nature of pitches being used for India vs England Test series, Ganguly said, "What controversy. There shouldn't be any. When you play Test cricket in India, the ball is bound to turn. Ahmedabad track played nicely."

AFP

Kolkata: Probably he is passing through the best phase of his cricketing career, winning Test matches for his team, both at home and abroad. Young wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant must be finding himself over the moon when he mesmerized none other than BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly with his skill, both with the bat and behind the stumps. Sourav is not only showing immense faith in Pant's ability, but also picks him as the future Mahendra Singh Dhoni of Indian cricket team.

In an exclusive interview with the ABP LIVE Bengali, Sourav Ganguly, said, "Pant is as good as Dhoni. He is a match winner. He can take away the game from the opponents. He can play unbelievable shots. On his day, Pant can win matches for the team, be it test, ODI or T20."

"Pant is a natural stroke player. He will play his shots. He can change the momentum of the match within minutes." Pant's performance as a wicket-keeper has always been heavily criticized. And none the less, the Indian Team management is playing him in the XI in place of Wriddhiman Saha, unquestionably one of the best wicketkeepers in the world right now. Though Sourav is excited to see the improvement in Pant's wicket-keeping.

"He has improved a lot as a wicketkeeper which is quite obvious in the India vs England test series. He has made most of the chances he got," Sourav Ganguly told ABP LIVE.

When asked to comment on the controversy over the nature of pitches being used for India vs England Test series, Ganguly said, "What controversy. There shouldn't be any. When you play Test cricket in India, the ball is bound to turn. Ahmedabad track played nicely."

Ganguly is ecstatic to see R Ashwin grabbing 400 scalps in Test cricket. But he is unwilling to compare him with Anil Kumble or Harbhajan Singh.

"All of these three are greats. Anil has 600 plus test wickets. Bhajji has more than 400 test wickets. Both of them have won matches for India. Ashwin is also a great spinner. They have incredible success under their belt," Sourav said. He is excited to see the youngstars of Indian team performing consistently. Sourav said,"All the young stars are excellent. Be it Pant, Mohammed Shiraz, Shubman Gill. They have shown the potential they have."

After the Test series, team India will play 5 T20 matches against England.

Sourav Ganguly recently had two stents inserted in his arteries after a blockage was found in his heart. But the former India captain is now fit and ready to fly. "I will be attending the first two T20 matches in Ahmedabad," concluded Sourav.