"Stop comparing yourself with Dhoni": MSK Prasad's advice to Rishabh Pant

Replacing Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a tough job. Ask Rishabh Pant who was thrusted into the Indian cricket team as a potential successor to probably India’s best-ever wicketkeeper-batsman.

Despite his glowing talent, Pant struggled has struggled for consistence in the Indian team and was even replaced by KL Rahul as the wicketkeeper in ODIs and T20Is earlier this year. BCCI’s former chairman of selectors, MSK Prasad, revealed what could have bogged down the young wicketkeeper-batsman in the blue jersey of India.

“Every time when Rishabh steps in, he is always compared with MS Dhoni, and probably, he is also getting caught in that euphoria. Many times, we spoke to him that he has to get over it,” Prasad said.

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A little boy had a dream of batting on the other end of the pitch with you. That little boy’s dream came true 🤩 Learning from you and being close to you has been the highest privilege. India will always be proud of M.S Dhoni 🇮🇳 Enjoy the journey ahead Mahi bhai 🤗 Legend 🙌🏻 #7 @mahi7781

A post shared by Rishabh Pant (@rishabpant) on Aug 15, 2020 at 9:47am PDT

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Former Chief Selector of the Indian cricket team MSK Prasad gave his views on Rishabh Pant's rapid rise in international cricket and the things that potentially led to his downfall. Prasad pointed out that Pant started comparing himself with his idol MS Dhoni and even tried to copy him in some aspects, which hurt his game.

Dhoni announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket last month, which means that Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, and KL Rahul are all fighting for the wicket-keeping spot in the Indian cricket team. The team management backed Pant to become the next big thing in Indian cricket.

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Happy birthday Mahi bhai 🙌🏽 Guru, mentor, big brother and mostly friend. Its been a crazy ride, can't wait for it to go on. Here's to more great memories on the field, and lots of masti off it 😂 See you soon bhaiya 🥳🎂 @mahi7781 ``` Pictures and video courtesy BCCI / StarSportsIndia* ```

A post shared by Rishabh Pant (@rishabpant) on Jul 7, 2020 at 1:11am PDT

“’Mahi is an absolutely different personality, and you are different, you are also phenomenal, you also have talent, that’s why we are backing you,” the team management used to tell Pant,” he said. Pant has shown promise in the longest format of the game though, scoring centuries in both England and Australia but consistency has been an issue for the 22-year-old especially in the limited-overs format where he can be extremely destructive if on song.

Pant averages a decent 38.8 in Tests but his average in ODIs is only 26.7. He has been a good performer in the IPL though and would like to reclaim his position in the Indian side with another strong showing for Delhi Capitals this season. The 13th edition of the IPL begins on September 19 in the UAE.