Calling Mahendra Singh Dhoni his mentor, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant said the World Cup-winning skipper has his own way of helping the younger crop as he never provides a full solution to a problem and rather encourages them to look for answers.

Pant was heir apparent to Dhoni until K.L. Rahul emerged as a ’keeper-batsman in the limited overs format, making the left-hander no more a certainty in the playing XI.

“He (Dhoni) has been like a mentor to me, on and off the field. I can approach him freely with any problem I may be facing, and he will never give me the entire solution for it,” Pant said at an Instagram live session with his IPL team Delhi Capitals. “This is so that I don’t become entirely dependent on him. He gives me hints only.

“He’s also one of my favourite batting partners, though it’s not something that happens too often. If Mahibhai is at the crease, you know things are sorted. He has got a plan in his head, and all you need to do is follow it.”

Dhoni, who has not played competitive cricket since July 2019, was supposed to make a much-awaited comeback with the IPL, which has now been postponed indefinitely.

Former India players Harbhajan Singh and Ashish Nehra believe Dhoni has already played his last game for the country.