Rishabh Pant prepares for red-ball comeback in Duleep Trophy
What's the story
Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is set to make his return to red-ball cricket in the impending Duleep Trophy, starting September 5. The cricketer shared a video of his training session on Instagram, which has been doing the rounds ever since. The Duleep Trophy will mark Pant's comeback after a hiatus due to a fatal car accident and subsequent surgeries. Pant will be pivotal for India in their upcoming Test season.
Recovery path
Pant's journey back to cricket after surgery
Pant's last red-ball match for India was in December 2022, against Bangladesh. Following a severe accident, he underwent surgery to repair three broken ligaments in his knee. The recovery process sidelined him for over a year before he could return to action. His was back in action in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), where he led the Delhi Capitals (DC).
Progress
Pant featured in T20 World Cup, SL series
Following his successful IPL stint, Pant played the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup for India. The left-handed batter scored 171 runs at a strike-rate of 127.61 in India's title-clinching tournament. After the T20 World Cup, Pant took part in two T20Is and an ODI in Sri Lanka. In the first T20I against Sri Lanka, he scored a quickfire 49 off just 33 balls.
Twitter Post
WATCH: Rishabh Pant in the groove
Rishabh Pant started practise for Red Ball season 🤗❤️#cricket #rishabhpant pic.twitter.com/XM6PhAiRr7
— Riseup Pant (@riseup_pant17) September 2, 2024
Season
Test season awaits Pant
Pant recently turned out for Purani Dilli 6 in the Delhi Premier League's opening game. He scored a 32-balll 35 in that match. The deadly car crash, which happened in December 2022, forced him to miss several marquee events, including the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup and the World Test Championship final. He will now don the wicket-keeping gloves for India in the impending Test season. A five-match Test series Down Under awaits the Indian batter.
Numbers
India's match-winner in Tests
Pant has been India's match-winner in the longest format. With his clutch knocks, the left-handed batter has powered India to several momentous wins, including the one at the Gabba in 2021. As of now, Pant has scored 2,271 runs from 33 Tests at a remarkable average of 43.67. His tally includes five tons and 11 half-centuries.