Rishabh Pant, the star Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, had his first nets session for Team India in at least 16 months, ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup opener against Ireland on June 5. Pant, who returned to competitive cricket during the Indian Premier League this year after a life-threatening road accident in December 2022, will return to India’s blue jersey.
In the just concluded IPL 2024, Rishabh’s Delhi Capitals finished sixth with seven wins, seven defeats, and 14 points, failing to advance to the playoffs. He scored 446 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of over 155, including three half-centuries, and finished as the team’s leading run-getter.
Pants shed significant weight and had a much thinner appearance before the competition. He looked fantastic in practice.
In a video posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Pant said, “This is one thing I missed a lot. Getting back on the field with the Indian jersey on is a different feeling altogether, which I missed a lot. I think seeing the teammates and meeting them again, spending time, having fun with them, enjoying having conversations, really enjoying it.”
“I feel cricket is growing around the world”- Rishabh Pant
🗣️ Getting back with an Indian jersey 🔛 is a different feeling altogether 🇮🇳@RishabhPant17 is back in the nets for #TeamIndia 🤩
Crucial practice before the #T20WorldCup begins 💪
WATCH 🎥🔽 – By @RajalArora
— BCCI (@BCCI) May 30, 2024
Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has become well-known for his outstanding play in cricket matches. According to him, competing in the USA offers a different kind of challenge and opens up new opportunities for the sport’s development. This remark emphasizes cricket’s widespread appeal and its potential for growth in other areas.
“We are used to playing in certain countries but this is a different prospect. It has opened up a different channel for sport because I feel cricket is growing around the world and getting into a country like the US and getting exposure here would be nice for cricket as well as USA cricket, I guess. So just getting used to conditions over here and let us see how it goes. Hopefully, I make it count and make it more better from here,” he concluded.