Rishabh Pant’s return to Test cricket after a two-year hiatus is a testament to his resilience and determination. The wicketkeeper-batsman, who last played a Test match against Bangladesh in 2022, is set to make his comeback in the upcoming India-Bangladesh Test match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Pant’s journey back to the cricket field has been remarkable. In December 2022, he survived a horrific car accident that left him with multiple injuries. Despite the adversity, he has worked tirelessly to regain his fitness and form.
In the interim, Dhruv Jurel has shown promise as a wicketkeeper-batsman, particularly during the home series against England. However, head coach Gautam Gambhir has emphasized the importance of Pant’s presence in the team.
“We all know how destructive he can be (as a batter) and what he can do in Test cricket. Obviously, it gives him the freedom to go out there and express himself. He has got runs everywhere around the world,” Gambhir said in the pre-match press meet.
Pant recently proved his readiness for Test cricket by performing well in the Duleep Trophy for India B. In that match, he scored a swift 61 off 47 balls and excelled as a wicketkeeper, taking seven catches.
Assessing his wicketkeeping skills, Gambhir noted, “Not only with his batting, he has been excellent behind the stumps as well. Probably his batting overshadows his keeping many times.”
Ricky Ponting, who coached Pant at Delhi Capitals, praised his enthusiasm and competitive spirit. “He’s an infectious character to have around the group. He loves his cricket. He’s a winner. He doesn’t just play to make a few runs and be out there for the fun of it,” Ponting told Sky Sports.
Pant’s return to the Test arena is highly anticipated, and his performance will be closely watched as India take on Bangladesh. The wicketkeeper-batsman will be eager to prove that he is still one of the most destructive batsmen in the world and that he can be a valuable asset to the Indian team.
