Rishabh Pant nominated for Laureus Comeback of the Year Award
What's the story
Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant has been nominated for the iconic Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award. The recognition comes for his incredible recovery from a near-fatal car accident in 2022, and return to international cricket. The Laureus World Sports Awards, marking its 25th anniversary this year, will hold a ceremony in Madrid on April 21, honoring exceptional athletic achievements from 2024 and celebrating memorable moments from the last 25 years.
Comeback journey
How Pant returned to play international cricket
Pant's journey back to cricket was one of resilience and determination. After a horrific car crash in 2022, the left-handed batter made a swift recovery and returned to lead the Delhi Capitals in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. His story is one of triumph over adversity, as he navigated through numerous challenges after the accident, before making his much-anticipated return to Test cricket.
Life-altering incident
Pant's accident and remarkable recovery
In December 2020, Pant met with a horrific car accident on the Delhi-Dehradun highway. He was pulled out of his vehicle before it was engulfed in flames. The accident could have cost him his leg, but he recovered from multiple critical injuries in over 600 days. His Test return was marked by a match-winning century against Bangladesh in the Chennai Test. With this, he equaled MS Dhoni's record for most Test tons by an Indian wicket-keeper.
Gratefulness and resilience
Pant's philosophy and response to the nomination
Talking about his nomination for the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award, Pant said, "I have always believed that the biggest virtue of life is to be grateful for everything God has blessed you with." He said he focused on positivity and happiness in every situation, trusting self-belief and resilience to overcome challenges. His story inspired many, including Laureus Ambassador Yuvraj Singh who called him an example for all sportsmen/women.
Nominees
A look at other nominees
Other nominees for the prestigious award include Rebeca Andrade (gymnastics), Caeleb Dressel (swimming), Lara Gut-Behrami (alpine skiing), Marc Marquez (motor cycling), and Ariarne Titmus (swimming).