Published 13:25 IST, September 2nd 2019
Rishabh Pant surpasses MS Dhoni, fastest keeper to reach 50 dismissals
Young Rishabh Pant became the fastest Indian wicket-keeper to claim 50 dismissals in Test cricket, surpassing former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
- SportFit
- 3 min read
Young Rishabh Pant became the fastest Indian wicket-keeper to claim 50 dismissals in Test cricket, surpassing former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The 21-year-old wicket-keeper batsman on Sunday claimed his 50th victim in his 11th Test while Dhoni had taken 15 Tests to touch the milestone. Rishabh Pant took an easy catch to dismiss West Indies' Kraigg Brathwaite off an Ishant Sharma delivery in the second innings of the hosts in the second Test. In December last year, Pant had equaled the world record for most catches in a Test by a wicket-keeper when he snared 11 Australian batsmen at Adelaide Oval. Meanwhile, India inched closer to a series sweep, the hosts declared the second innings at 168 for four setting West Indies an improbable 468 run-target. In reply, the hosts ended the day on 45 for 2.
Rishabh Pant likely to be given more chances
"There are only 22 T20 Internationals before India play their first World T20 game and selectors are clear in their vision that it's time to move forward," a senior BCCI official privy to developments in selection committee told PTI on Wednesday. "They are planning on getting a pool of three keepers ready for limited-overs, especially T20s," he added. It is still not clear whether the BCCI brass or the selection committee will speak to MS Dhoni to enquire about his plans as they did before the West Indies tour when the former captain informed that he would be taking a break to serve his regiment in Territorial Army. "Retirement is an individual decision and selectors or for that matter, no one has any right to decide on that front. But they have every right to decide the roadmap for the 2020 World T20 and that's to give Rishabh Pant maximum chances," the official explained.
MS Dhoni's new look
MS Dhoni was given a rousing reception at the Jaipur airport, as the 'Captain Cool' was spotted wearing a black bandana, sporting a commando-like look. A video of MS Dhoni requesting fans to move aside so that he could move forward has gone viral on social media. The police had a tough time helping MS Dhoni to wade through the fans gathered there to see the cricketer, local media sources reported. MS Dhoni was reportedly in Jaipur to attend an event. MS Dhoni is expected to make a comeback to the field later this year as he was last seen playing at the World Cup. The former skipper is known for sporting new looks now and then, as fans remember MS Dhoni from his long hair days to when the captain went bald after winning the World Cup in 2011.
Updated 14:07 IST, September 2nd 2019