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When it comes to wicketkeeper-batters in Indian Test cricket, a few names have stood the test of time—Syed Kirmani, Kiran More, Nayan Mongia, MS Dhoni and Wriddhiman Saha. Each brought their own strengths, but none quite combined flair, fearlessness, and impact the way Rishabh Pant has. From audacious counterattacks in hostile conditions to game-changing moments behind the stumps, Pant has carved a niche that feels both refreshing and revolutionary. Still only 27, he’s already rewriting the standards for his role. So, is Pant truly the finest wicketkeeper-batter India has produced in Test history? The numbers tell the story.
Rishabh Pant – The game changer with the bat
Pant’s batting is nothing short of revolutionary. In 43 Tests since his debut in 2018, he’s scored 2,948 runs at an average of 42.11, with six centuries and 15 fifties. These numbers alone put him in elite company, but it’s the context of his runs that sets him apart. Pant doesn’t just score—he shifts momentum, breaks games open, and thrives when the odds are stacked against India.
For instance, take his unbeaten 89 at the Gabba in 2021. Chasing 328 on a fifth-day pitch against a fearsome Australian attack, Pant’s fearless counterattack—blending scoops, lofts, and drives—did the unthinkable and helped India seal a historic 2-1 series win, ending Australia’s 32-year unbeaten streak at the venue.
Another one is his 101 in Ahmedabad against England in 2021, dismantling James Anderson with reverse sweeps and aerial drives. Most recently, his twin hundreds in Leeds against England in June 2025. He has turned the tables with his twin tons and made sure India sit on a driving seat.
Eye-catching record in SENA countries
Pant’s performances in overseas conditions, especially in SENA countries—South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia—have been nothing short of extraordinary. He boasts an impressive average of 41.95 in these challenging regions, a figure that underlines both his consistency and flair with the bat. What sets him apart is not just the volume of runs, but the context in which he scores them.
Pant has already notched up six centuries abroad, each of them marked by high-pressure situations and quality oppositions. One of his most iconic knocks came at Cape Town in 2022, where he scored a scintillating hundred against a fiery South African pace attack—an innings that turned the match on its head and reaffirmed his reputation as a game-changer. Among Indian wicketkeeper-batters, no one has matched this level of dominance and composure in such demanding environments.
Breakdown of Pant’s numbers in SENA:
In Australia – Matches: 12 | Runs: 879 | Highest score: 159* | Average: 46.26 | Hundreds: 1
In New Zealand – Matches: 2 | Runs: 60 | Highest score: 25 | Average: 15.00 | Hundreds: 0
In England – Matches: 9 | Runs: 763 | Highest score: 146 | Average: 44.88 | Hundreds: 4
In South Africa – Matches: 3 | Runs: 186 | Highest score: 100 | Average: 37.20 | Hundreds: 1
Wicketkeeping: Good enough and getting better
Pant’s wicketkeeping, once viewed as a weakness in his game, has undergone a noticeable transformation. Early in his career, he was often criticized for his inconsistent glovework, but with experience and hard work, he has developed into a much more reliable presence behind the stumps.
While he still has some ground to cover before being compared to the legendary Dhoni, Pant has already etched his name in the record books by securing the third spot among Indian wicketkeepers with the most dismissals in Test cricket. In just 44 matches, he has effected 166 dismissals—comprising 151 catches and 15 stumpings—a remarkable feat in such a short span. Now, with confidence and momentum on his side, Pant is eyeing the second position, currently held by Kirmani, who finished his career with 198 dismissals.
The Comparison: Pant versus Dhoni versus others
To crown Pant the best, we must stack him against India’s other wicketkeeper-batters. Dhoni, with 4876 runs in 90 Tests at 38.09, including six centuries, is the obvious benchmark. Dhoni’s 294 dismissals (256 catches, 38 stumpings) and captaincy genius make him a legend, but his Test batting lacked Pant’s clutch factor overseas. Dhoni’s SENA average of 31.47, with no centuries, pales against Pant’s heroics at the Gabba and Cape Town. Dhoni was a stabilizer; Pant is a match-winner.
Saha, considered as India’s pure keeper, averaged 29.41 with three centuries in 40 Tests. His glovework was world-class, but his batting lacked Pant’s game-changing ability. Farokh Engineer and Kirmani, icons of earlier eras, had modest batting averages (31.08 and 27.04, respectively) and played in less competitive times. Other contenders like Mongia or Dinesh Karthik never matched Pant’s consistency or impact with the bat.
Pant’s seven Test centuries, six of which came overseas, give him an edge. He’s the only Indian keeper with multiple SENA tons, and his 97 at Sydney in 2021, at age 23, showed a maturity beyond his years. His ability to bat at No. 5 or 6 and turn games—unlike Dhoni’s more defensive role at No. 7—makes him uniquely valuable.
Verdict: Pant has what it takes to be the greatest
So, is Pant the best wicketkeeper-batter India has seen in Test cricket? As things stand, he certainly leads the pack. His batting—fearless, decisive, and exceptional in overseas conditions—surpasses Dhoni’s consistency and Saha’s technical brilliance with the gloves. While Pant’s wicketkeeping isn’t without flaws, it is more than sufficient for someone with his game-changing batting prowess. His knack for turning matches on their head makes him a rare talent—one that comes around perhaps once in a generation.
Dhoni’s legacy as an all-format giant and cultural icon remains untouched, but when viewed purely through the lens of Test wicketkeeper-batters, Pant is shifting the paradigm. If he continues this trajectory into his 30s, the debate may no longer be needed. For now, every time Pant walks out to bat, it feels like a spectacle—proof that India has unearthed not just a keeper or a batter, but a true game-changer.
