Former Team India selector Devang Gandhi has described Rishabh Pant as the greatest wicketkeeper-batsman in the history of Indian cricket. Gandhi said Pant has made a remarkable impact in Test cricket and described his famous match-winning innings at the Gabba as one of the standout moments of his career.
The left-handed batsman is currently preparing to play his milestone fiftieth Test match for the Indian national team. The upcoming one-off Test match against Afghanistan will be played from June 6 (Saturday) to June 10 at the Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh.
Devang Gandhi supported Rishabh Pant after changing vice-captaincy
Devang Gandhi, speaking to IANS, shared his views on the decision to remove Rishabh Pant as Test vice-captain. Gandhi said that this move can help Pant to fully concentrate on his batting and achieve his best form.
“Look, to be honest, Rishabh got the captaincy because Shubman was injured. To be fair, he was the vice-captain. He had a great trip to England. Unfortunately, he couldn’t play the entire series because of that injury. I think what happened to him in the IPL, I think the selectors are looking at him to be where he can find himself back as a batsman.”
Pant has recently been made the Test vice-captain under the captaincy of Shubman Gill in place of KL Rahul. He struggled with the bat while captaining Lucknow Super Giants during a disappointing IPL 2026 season.
Rishabh is probably the best wicketkeeper-batsman India has ever produced – Devang Gandhi
Devang Gandhi praised Rishabh Pant’s development as both a batsman and wicketkeeper. The former selector said Pant’s improvement behind the stumps often goes unnoticed and hoped he would complete his 50th Test with a century.
“So it’s great to see and also, no one talks about his wicketkeeping. The way he has improved his keeping – whether it is India or abroad, he has been brilliant as a wicketkeeper. The only thing I can wish for is that he turns this 50 into a 100.”
“Whatever cricket I have seen, whatever Indian history I have had as far as wicket-keeping batsmen are concerned, I think Rishabh is probably the best wicket-keeping batsman India has ever seen.”
Pant has scored 3,476 runs in 49 Test matches at an average of 42.91. The left-handed batsman has also maintained an impressive strike rate of 74.24 in the format, registering eight centuries and 18 half-centuries.
Played some very impressive match-winning innings – Devang Gandhi on Rishabh Pant
Devang Gandhi also said that Rishabh Pant has success in Test cricket in foreign conditions. The former selector said Pant has made a big impact on world cricket and has often delivered match-winning performances in challenging environments.
“The way he has evolved as a Test cricketer, the impact he has made on world cricket and to have played 50 Test matches, it’s great to see – it’s a significant milestone. If you basically look at his performances overseas, whether it’s in South Africa, England, even Australia, he has played some very impressive match-winning innings.”
Pant scored 479 runs at an average of 68.42 in four Test matches, including two centuries during India’s tour of England in 2025. However, the wicketkeeper-batsman struggled against South Africa recently, scoring only 49 runs at an average of 12.25 in four innings. The Men in Blue suffered a 0-2 defeat in the series.
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