MS Dhoni is the greatest wicket-keeper India ever produced, helping the Men in Blue win an incredible number of matches with his skills. The former India captain decided to quit Test cricket in 2014, but still holds an integral role for India in ODI and T20 cricket.
There have always been questions about Dhoni's retirement from all forms of the game, and cricket fans were worried if India can find a worthy replacement. One does not know when he will retire, but we are sure that the wicket-keeping department is in safe hands with young guns like Ishan Kishan, 18, and Rishabh Pant, 19, in the fray.
Rishabh has taken this IPL 2017 by storm, scoring some quality runs against world-class opposition. However, it was his innings against Gujarat Lions on Thursday, where he scored 43-ball 97, which has been the talk of the town. There are some similarities between Rishabh and Dhoni. Both of them love to play an attacking game, and are known for their six-hitting skills.
It is not only Rishabh, Ishan has also showed that he can bat and score runs. Ishan, who was the captain of the India U-19 cricket team in the last world cup, has three 30 plus scores this IPL. Ishan's coach Uttam Mazumdar, who also knows Rishabh, believes there will be some healthy competition between the two for the spot in the Indian team.
Uttam does not want either of the two to think too much about the team selection, but just try to be consistent in domestic circuit as well.
"Both Ishan and Rishabh have wonderful qualities with both the bat and behind the wickets to replace Dhoni, after he decides to retire from ODI and T20 cricket. Both of them are superb cricketers, and the competition is always going to be there," Uttam told International Business Times, India.
"They should just concentrate on their skills, and be consistent in the Ranji Trophy. If they perform in domestic cricket, the selectors will also take note of it," he added.
However, the competition is going to be tough as we move ahead. Sanju Samson, 22, can be another serious contender as he can also keep wickets.
Though one has not seen Ishan as wicket-keeper for his IPL team Gujarat Lions this season, which is occupied by senior statesman Dinesh Karthik, Uttam praised the left-hander for his wicket-keeping skills too.
"Ishan is wonderful behind the wicket. In IPL, people may have not seen Ishan keeping, but he is brilliant a wicket-keeper. His movement is brilliant, and his hard work will only help him improve further," Uttam said.
Dhoni, as it seems, will not retire any time soon as he could play till the 2019 World Cup. Till then, one can enjoy Dhoni's skills while Ishan and Rishabh can just learn from the Jharkhand star before getting into the Indian team.
