India’s wicketkeeper-batsman, Rishabh Pant, opened up about the formidable challenges he faced during a hiatus from cricket following a serious accident, revealing how the absence from the sport weighed heavily on him. In a period marked by longing for the game, Pant sought solace in immersing himself in The Ashes matches between England and Australia in 2023, played in England.
It was during this time that he observed England’s innovative counterattacking strategy in Test cricket, now renowned as ‘BazBall.’ Pant found great enjoyment in England’s bold approach, characterized by its dynamism and aggression. Delving into the narrative during Episode 3 of the ‘Believe’ series by Star Sports, Rishabh Pant reflected on the adversity he encountered, especially during the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
The Delhi Capitals, his IPL team, faced a setback, finishing in the ninth position on the points table and failing to qualify for the playoffs. Pant expressed the anguish of witnessing his team’s performance from the sidelines, unable to contribute due to his absence.
Rishabh Pant stated: “I then watched The Ashes. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it because England started playing in that way. I am already used to this style of playing. Rohit bhai kept saying, ‘We will make ‘RishBall’ too.’ He says, ‘You keep playing like this, and we also need to get others to play like this.”
Despite the challenges, Pant found joy in witnessing The Ashes series that unfolded in England from June to July 2023. The series featured Australia, captained by Pat Cummins, against England, led by Ben Stokes. Pant appreciated England’s playing style, known as BazBall, as it resonated with his own dynamic approach to Test cricket.
Notably, Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma playfully teased the idea of adopting a similar aggressive Test style for India, humorously terming it ‘RishBall’ in homage to Pant’s distinct batting style.
For those unfamiliar with the context, Pant’s life took a dramatic turn in December 2022 when he was involved in a serious car accident while travelling from Delhi to his hometown, Roorkee, to meet his family. This incident occurred shortly after Pant played a pivotal role in India’s triumph in the second Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur.
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