After his recovery from a serious injury, Rishabh Pant is embracing every opportunity that comes his way as he prepares to compete in all three formats of cricket. At the start of 2023, doubts lingered about Pant's future on the field following a harrowing car accident in Uttarakhand that left his vehicle in flames. Surviving such a traumatic ordeal is a significant achievement, and returning to elite sports is nothing short of remarkable. Less than two years after his incident, Pant has exceeded recovery expectations. Although he missed the home ODI World Cup, he celebrated T20I World Cup triumph and is now back in the thick of Test cricket.
In his comeback Test, Pant equalled MS Dhoni's record for the most centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper, reinforcing the notion that, despite his prowess in T20 cricket, he thrives in the Test format.
"Coming back was truly emotional, as I aimed to make an impact in every match, even though I couldn't quite achieve that in my first innings," Pant shared after India's 280-run victory over Bangladesh in Chennai. "To return to Test cricket, where I feel I truly belong, is incredible. Batting out there brought back a surge of emotions. Ultimately, just being on the field is the most rewarding experience."
Pant's resurgence coincided with matching Dhoni's century record at what many consider Dhoni's home ground. "It's very special for me because I love playing in Chennai," he noted. "Following my injury, my goal was to play in all three formats, and this is my first Test match back. I'm enjoying every moment of it."
Although Pant's first innings score was a modest 39, he entered the fray at a tough position of 34 for 3 and built a vital 62-run partnership with Shubman Gill. "I try to read the situation my way," he explained. "When the score is 30 for 3, it's crucial to establish a partnership, which is exactly what Gill and I did. Our strong off-field bond really enhances that on-field synergy."
Captain Rohit Sharma commended Pant's extraordinary comeback. "He has faced incredible challenges, and watching his resilience has been impressive," Rohit remarked. "He returned in the IPL, followed it up with a successful World Cup stint, and now he’s back in his beloved format.
"It was never a question of his batting skills; we've always recognized his talent with both bat and gloves. The focus was on reintegrating him into the game and giving him the experience he needed. Credit to him for playing in the Duleep Trophy to prepare for this Test, making an immediate impact."