Ricky Ponting explains 'how good Rishabh Pant is' in comparison to Dhoni: 'He has five 100s already, MS had four after 90 Tests'

Ricky Ponting explains 'how good Rishabh Pant is' in comparison to MS Dhoni

With a busy Test schedule approaching, talks have already begun about the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which takes place towards the end of this year. India have won back-to-back editions held in Down Under and will look for a repeat, when action kicks-off on November 22 in Perth. While there is no guarantee who will fly to Australia and who won't, but individual battles have already begun. Australia's prolific spinner Nathan Lyon in an interaction with Star Sports identified Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant as their side's biggest challenge in the upcoming series, which consists of five Tests.

And now in an interaction on Sky Sports, ex-Australia captain Ricky Ponting has shared his views on who to watch out for from the opposition's camp. During the assessment, Ponting also highlighted a major difference between former India skipper and wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni and Pant, who is most likely to take charge behind the stumps in the high voltage contest.

"We've all seen him play and heard him in the stump mic, he's an infectious character to have around the group. He loves his cricket, he's a winner, that's what he is. He doesn't just play to make a few runs and be out there for the fun of it. He must have 4 or 5 Test hundreds already and he's got about nine 90s as well. [MS] Dhoni played for 120 Tests (90) and made 3 or 4 hundreds (6), this is how good this guy (Pant) is. He's a serious cricketer," said Ponting.

Pant was among most impactful player in the previous edition of Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which India won 2-1 defying the odds. The southpaw had then emerged as the leading run-scorer from the Indian camp, with Kohli not playing and most players sitting out due to injury. Pant had then amassed a total of 274 from five innings at an average of 68.50.

Pant will make a return to Test cricket for the first time in the series against Bangladesh after his fatal car accident on New Year's eve on 2022. India are scheduled to play two Tests against Bangladesh, following which the team will lock horns with New Zealand in three-match series before flying to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.