NEW DELHI: After a long hiatus following a severe car accident, Rishabh Pant is set to make his highly anticipated return to Test cricket for India’s series opener against Bangladesh on September 19th in Chennai.
Pant’s journey back to the field has been nothing short of remarkable. His determination and hard work during rehabilitation have earned him widespread admiration, with former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel calling him an “inspiration”.
“He has set a great example, and has become an inspiration for sure. I mean, the kind of accident he had and the way he has made a comeback, it is absolutely remarkable. On a personal point of view, you’ve got to give credit to him. He has worked really hard, as I’ve been in touch with him during his rehab time,” Parthiv told IANS. “So, hats off to him. As far as the Indian team is concerned, he’s been a match winner in Test format. We’ve seen how well he has played in several countries, so to say, all in SENA countries. He’s got hundreds, even when he was playing in Indian conditions, and has scored brilliantly in crucial Test matches.”
While expectations are high for Pant’s return, a cautious approach to managing his workload is crucial. The upcoming season, featuring a five-match Test series against Australia, demands careful planning to ensure Pant’s long-term well-being.
“For me, the biggest improvement which I have seen is in his wicket-keeping. If we can go back to that England series in 2021, where it was rank-turners, but that’s where he kept brilliantly. Plus, he’s a left-handed attacking batter who can take the game away in one session, all of these are pluses for Rishabh Pant and Indian team. But I think that his wicket-keeping has been fantastic, and it’s really good to see that he’s putting in hard yards behind his keeping skills,” he added.
Pant’s return signifies more than just his presence on the field; it represents his resilience and determination to overcome adversity. His comeback story serves as a testament to his unwavering spirit and the unwavering support he received throughout his recovery.
“It is a very big task for everyone to play five Test matches. But, you have to see that Rishabh is also making a comeback. He had a good Duleep Trophy game. Now, it depends on the workload of how much time he is spending on the ground as a wicketkeeper and batter both,” the former India international explained. “So, they will take it by the ear and see how he is feeling, because players’ feedback is also that important. So, you might see Dhruv Jurel playing one of the five home Test matches. But it all depends on what and how Rishabh Pant is spending time on the ground.”
Pant’s journey back to the field has been nothing short of remarkable. His determination and hard work during rehabilitation have earned him widespread admiration, with former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel calling him an “inspiration”.
“He has set a great example, and has become an inspiration for sure. I mean, the kind of accident he had and the way he has made a comeback, it is absolutely remarkable. On a personal point of view, you’ve got to give credit to him. He has worked really hard, as I’ve been in touch with him during his rehab time,” Parthiv told IANS. “So, hats off to him. As far as the Indian team is concerned, he’s been a match winner in Test format. We’ve seen how well he has played in several countries, so to say, all in SENA countries. He’s got hundreds, even when he was playing in Indian conditions, and has scored brilliantly in crucial Test matches.”
While expectations are high for Pant’s return, a cautious approach to managing his workload is crucial. The upcoming season, featuring a five-match Test series against Australia, demands careful planning to ensure Pant’s long-term well-being.
“For me, the biggest improvement which I have seen is in his wicket-keeping. If we can go back to that England series in 2021, where it was rank-turners, but that’s where he kept brilliantly. Plus, he’s a left-handed attacking batter who can take the game away in one session, all of these are pluses for Rishabh Pant and Indian team. But I think that his wicket-keeping has been fantastic, and it’s really good to see that he’s putting in hard yards behind his keeping skills,” he added.
Pant’s return signifies more than just his presence on the field; it represents his resilience and determination to overcome adversity. His comeback story serves as a testament to his unwavering spirit and the unwavering support he received throughout his recovery.
“It is a very big task for everyone to play five Test matches. But, you have to see that Rishabh is also making a comeback. He had a good Duleep Trophy game. Now, it depends on the workload of how much time he is spending on the ground as a wicketkeeper and batter both,” the former India international explained. “So, they will take it by the ear and see how he is feeling, because players’ feedback is also that important. So, you might see Dhruv Jurel playing one of the five home Test matches. But it all depends on what and how Rishabh Pant is spending time on the ground.”