WATCH: 'Bahot zor se lagi hai': Rishabh Pant fakes injury during nets to leave Indian fans skip a beat ahead of T20 World Cup clash vs Pakistan

Rishabh Pant staged a stunning comeback to international cricket after a horrible car accident. Pant is oozing runs in the ongoing T20 World Cup for India.

Abhijeet Kumar Singh

• Sat • 08 Jun 2024

India star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant during nets session. (Screengrab-X)

Highlights:

Rishabh Pant made a stunning comeback in international cricket.

Pant scored an unbeaten 53 in T20 World Cup warm-up against Bangladesh and followed it up with quickfire 36 against Ireland in campaign opener.

India's star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has staged a remarkable return to international cricket after a horrific accident sidelined him in December 2022. The southpaw made his comeback in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, which is being hosted jointly by West Indies and USA. Pant's journey back began with the IPL 2024. Leading Delhi Capitals (DC) in the just-concluded IPL 2024, he displayed exceptional form with the bat, leaving a strong impression on the selectors. His impressive 446 runs at an average of 40 and a strike rate of 155 solidified his position as the team's top scorer. However, despite his dominant IPL performance, some doubts lingered regarding his fitness for the higher intensity of international cricket.

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Pant silences doubts with dominant World Cup return

Rishabh Pant's return to international cricket has been nothing short of impressive. The team management put their faith in Pant by sending him in at number three during the T20 World Cup warm-up match against Bangladesh. He responded in style, crafting a blistering half-century (53 runs) that showcased his touch and adaptability against both pace and spin.

Pant didn't stop there, he followed it up with another impressive performance in India's T20 World Cup campaign opener against Ireland. Despite a challenging pitch that made run-scoring difficult, Pant rose to the occasion once again and anchored the chase with a crucial unbeaten knock of 36 runs off just 26 balls, striking at a brisk rate of around 140. His innings, studded with three fours and two sixes, helped India secure a comfortable victory by chasing down the target of 97 runs within 13 overs. Pant's performances have not only silenced doubters but also solidified his position as a vital cog in India's T20 World Cup campaign.

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Rishabh Pant's return to the Indian side has been a bright spot, but a recent incident in the nets has cast a shadow over his availability for the crucial encounter against Pakistan. The much-anticipated clash between the arch-rivals is scheduled for Sunday, June 9, at the Nassau County Cricket International Stadium in New York. While Pant reportedly impressed in the nets, showcasing good form and timing his shots well. He was struck by a delivery and was heard expressing discomfort, saying "Bahut zor se lagi hai" (It hit very hard). It looked like Pant said it light-heartedly and was pranking about his injury. Thankfully, the injury didn't appear serious, and Pant continued his batting session. Pant's newly assigned role at number three makes him even more crucial for India's batting stability, especially if early wickets fall.