Rishabh Pant
From battling a life-threatening car accident in December 2022, to smashing a quick-fire century on his test return for India against Bangladesh, the story of India’s Rishabh Pant has inspired millions.
Mentioning the horrific night that left him with multiple injuries, including ligament tears and a severely damaged knee, the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman faced an uphill battle. His recovery began with intensive rehabilitation and determination not to let the incident define his career.
As months passed, Pant's resilience shone through. He shared updates of his path to recovery on social media, showcasing his rehabilitation milestones, which inspired countless fans. By mid-2023, he began training, slowly rediscovering his batting rhythm and wicket keeping skills.
His performances during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 were not as great as he would have liked, but he played a knock of 42 runs against Pakistan at a spicy pitch of New York. During the India’s innings where everyone were struggling to make runs against a top Pakistan bowling unit, Pant showed his prowess and scored a counter-attacking knock which propelled India towards 119, which was later defended by India, courtesy Jasprit Bumrah and other bowlers.
After earning a test call-up into India’s squad Vs Bangladesh, Rishabh rose to the occasion during the 1st test in Chennai and scored 109 runs, and proved why he is regarded as India's best when it comes to test cricket. Former cricketers around the world showered praises on Rishabh Pant for his knock.
''I reckon he attacks a bit more than I did. I played an aggressive brand at that time, but Rishabh, he looks fearless. What I do like is that he occasionally puts a foot on the brake and absorbs a bit of pressure. So he's a class act,” said Adam Gilchrist acknowledging Pant’s bold style.
''What a comeback by Rishabh Pant. The game is in better place when he is playing. The resilience he has shown to get back playing is remarkable.'' said Michael Vaughan on X.
Rishabh Pant's comeback is a testament to his tenacity and passion for the game, reminding everyone that challenges can be overcome with determination and grit.