Rishabh Pant's remarkable comeback after 14-month hiatus

New Delhi: Left handed wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant's return to the cricketing arena has been nothing short of extraordinary, marking a triumphant comeback following a grueling 14-month absence due to a near-fatal accident in December 2022.

During his absence, Pant missed out on numerous significant tournaments, including the IPL 2023, World Test Championship 2023 Final, and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, hosted in India.

Now aged 26, Pant has demonstrated a remarkable resurgence, seemingly back to his peak fitness levels after completing a full season with the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League.

Reflecting on his journey back to the field after Delhi's final game of the season against the Lucknow Super Giants, Pant expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support he received from fans across India.

"I think personally it was fantastic to come back on the field. The kind of support I got from whole India I would say was heartening to see," Pant told broadcasters after Delhi's last game of the season. "Wherever I went to play, I got support from each and every person. That was really good to see."

While it initially took Pant a few games to shake off the rust, he swiftly regained his form with the bat and emerged as his team's top run-scorer, accumulating 446 runs in 13 matches at an impressive strike rate of 155.40.

His stellar performance throughout the season not only contributed to his team's success but also paved the way for a national comeback as he was selected in the India squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

"Everyone knew that I am playing after one-and-a-half years so it was a long time to wait outside the ground,” Pant continued. “Loved every bit of it, just coming onto the ground, I just don't want to stay away from the ground, want to stay on the field all the time."

Pant is anticipated to be India’s primary wicket-keeper in the T20 World Cup, ahead of Sanju Samson.

India's campaign kicks off on 5 June with their opening Group A clash against Ireland before they face Pakistan in a much-anticipated encounter in New York. The Men in Blue will conclude their group stage fixtures against USA (12 June) and Canada (15 June.)