Dhoni exciting but Gilli rules roost, say wicketkeepers

New Delhi, Oct 9 (UNI) Swashbuckling India stumper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is an ''exciting prospect with loads of potential'', but it is Aussie Adam Gilchrist, who is hailed by the contemporaries as the best wicketkeeping allrounder in the world.

Some of the best in the business, which includes the likes of South African Mark Boucher, Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara and Pakistan's Kamran Akmal, spoke very highly of Dhoni saying that Jharkhand lad was sensational both behind and in front of the wicket.

''Dhoni is certainly a very exciting young lad both with the glove and the bat. He's been phenomenal in last one year so. He's one of those guys who could take the game away from you singlehandedly and in no time,'' Mark Boucher told UNI on the sidelines of a media interaction here.

''But when it comes to the best wicketkeeping allrounder in the world, it has to be Adam Gilchrist,'' the South African said.

''There are other talented wicketkeeper allrounders as well like (Kumar) Sangakkara, Dhoni and Kamran Akmal. But Gilli is ahead of the rest of us by a mile,'' he said and, when asked to rate himself, quipped, ''I m nowhere in the equation.'' Meanwhile, Kamran Akmal was effusive in his praise for the Indian and said he admired the Jharkhand lad for his slam-bang style of batting.

''I like him very much. I like his aggression when he's batting.

He just whacks the bowlers over the rope,'' said Akmal but the Pakistani stumper echoed Boucher when asked about who was the best.

''Gilchrist has won so many games for Australia and had been successful all over the world. He's simply the best. Dhoni, as I said, is very good and had a great time recently, but he has to go a long way,'' Akmal said.

Sangakkara also rated Gilchrist, Boucher and Dhoni in order of appearence.

''Mark Boucher also has done a wonderful job consistently. Then their is Dhoni as well but Gilchrist rules roost, period,''the explosive Lanka stumper said.

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