"He's the hero of the country" - When an Indian cricketer paid rich tribute to MS Dhoni

Team India's keeper-batter Rishabh Pant has always considered the legendary MS Dhoni as his idol. Pant has publicly shared his admiration for the two-time World Cup-winning captain. He also considers himself blessed to have replaced Dhoni as keeper-batter in the team.

In 2018, Pant paid rich tribute to his predecessor and described him as the hero of India. The Delhi cricketer equaled the record for most catches in a Test by a wicketkeeper during the Perth Test of the 2018-19 Australia tour. Pant took 11 catches to equal the record jointly held by England's Jack Russell and South Africa's AB de Villiers.

While reflecting on his achievement behind the wickets, Pant praised his idol Dhoni and said (as quoted by cricket.com.au):

"He's the hero of the country. I've learnt a lot from him as a person and as a cricketer as well. Whenever he's around, I feel more confident as a person. If I've got any problems I can share it with him and get a solution right away.

On what he learnt about keeping from the former India captain, Pant said:

"As a wicketkeeper and a player (he's taught me) to be patient in pressure situations like this (in Adelaide). You have to keep calm and keep composed and try to give 100 per cent."

He also shared his thoughts on equaling the record of 11 catches in a Test:

"I never thought of the record but it's good to take some catches and put it inside my kitty. It's good to have milestones, but I'm not thinking about that too much."

Before Pant, Wriddhiman Saha (10) held the record for most catches by an Indian wicketkeeper in a Test. Dhoni's best effort came when he claimed eight catches against Australia in Melbourne in the Boxing Day Test of 2014, which was incidentally also his last red-ball game for India.

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Comparing MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant's stats as keeper

Dhoni ended his career with 90 Tests, taking 256 catches and effecting 38 stumpings. In ODIs, he has 321 catches and 123 stumpings in 350 games. The Indian legend also featured in 98 T20Is, taking 57 catches and effecting 34 stumpings.

Pant, meanwhile, has played 43 Test matches anad taken 149 catches apart from effecting 15 stumpings. In 24 ODIs as keeper-batter, he has 23 catches and one stumping. Moreover, in 64 T20Is as designated keeper, the 27-year-old has taken 38 catches and effected 11 stumpings.