Two-time World Cup-winning Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has no doubt that flamboyant wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will be a successful India captain if he is handed the responsibility in future.
Pant took over the captaincy at IPL franchise Delhi Capitals last season in the absence of an injured Shreyas Iyer, with the Ponting-led team management showing faith in the player.
"With some experience in a role like this in such a high-pressure tournament like the IPL, you know, I've got no doubt in years to come there is every chance that Risabh could be international captain. No doubt about it," Ponting said.
Ponting, who oversaw Rohit Sharma's rise to become the most successful IPL skipper for the record five-time champions Mumbai Indians, feels the duo of Pant and Rohit have identical qualities.
"I haven't thought about that actually. But I think they are actually quite similar. When Rohit took over at Mumbai, he was quite a young man as well and he just sort of started out in his international career. He would probably been about 23-24, similar age to what Rishabh over here.
"To be totally honest, they're actually quite similar people. I know they're great mates and they probably exchange little things about leadership and captaincy along the way as well," he said.
Ponting said Pant can emulate what Rohit has achieved for Mumbai Indians.
"There is every opportunity for Rishabh's journey to be quite similar to Rohit.”