From being an under-19 star,to becoming Test hero at Gabba and now a world cup winner. Rishabh pant has risen to become one of the most exciting wicket keeper batters in indian cricket. He first grabbed attention as the vice captain of the india U-19 team with his fiere ball striking at the 2016 world cup.
 |
| Rishav Pant |
His domestic career saw him break record, including a triple century in the Ranji trophy and the fastest century in the tournament's history.
Pant made his t20 debut for India in January 2017, followed by his test debut in August 2018, and odi debut in October 2018. Pant quickly became a key player in Test format, earning accolades like the ICC mens emerging player of the year in 2018.
The slump
But soon, the cheer for him turned in to booing and jeers when pant struggled with the gloves. After Ms Dhoni announced his retirement in 2019, India was in search of a new wicket keeping mainstay, with Pant being the front runner. However a dismissal performance in ipl 2020 and a sub par show for india saw him sliping down the pecking order.
India's Hero at Gabba
The 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy series became a turning point for pant's cricketing career. Pant's crucial 97(118) in the second test was the start of what was the career defining series.
In the final test at gabba, where Australia had not lost since 1988, pant delivered a match winning 89*. Pant's knock helped india chase down a target of 328, leading them to a historic series win . His outstanding performance earned him a place in the ICC mens test team of the year for 2021. In the ipl, pant has been leading delhi capitals since 2021 and has been a standout performer for the franchise. In July 2022, he record his maiden odi century against England, remaining unbeaten on 125.
The miracle man
In December 2022, Pant's journey hit a roadblock when he was involved in a near fatal car accident. The accident left pant with severe injuries, sidelining him for nearly 15 months. But despite the huge setback, Pant made a triumphant return to cricket in 2024 ipl, where he scored 446 runs in the season. Pant's comeback was capped off with a steller performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he played a crucial role in india lifting the trophy.
But Pant is yet to cement his spot as India's permanent wicket keeping option, with kl Rahul and Sanju samson in the fray.
Ajit Agarkar, chief selector of BCCI Easing back into the action
Rishav has been out for a long time. So, we want to bring him back without burdening him. Someone who has come back after a long time, you need to bring them back in the scheme of things gradually. Kl , one of the feedback he has got is ' you've got to hit the reset button'.
With kl rahul, Sanju samson and Rishabh pant of the ODI, and T20 t20 squad for the tour of Sri Lanka, all eyes will be on the southpaw.
