'Never easy to come back, but...': Rishabh Pant opens up on recovering from toe fracture ahead of international return

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will most likely be making his much-awaited return to international cricket in the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa. The 28-year-old has been on the sidelines ever since sustaining a toe fracture during the Manchester Test against England in July. He recently made his comeback to competitive cricket in the two-match unofficial Test series between India A and South Africa A.

Pant took long to recover

With his injury now healed, Pant opened up on his struggle to full recovery and remarked that he is elated to be finally back into India's Test squad. The left-hand batter missed the two-match Test series against West Indies and was also absent from India's white-ball tour against Australia.

“After an injury, it is never easy to come back. But God has been kind and I’m very happy to be back. Every time I take the field, I try to be grateful. I always thank God, my parents, my family, and everyone who supported me during my recovery," Pant said in a video shared by BCCI.

“I try to focus on the controllables. Luck is something you can’t control, so I don’t think about it. If you keep your mind in a good space and focus on what matters, you’ll find happiness, especially when you’re injured,” he added.

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Pant also believes that tough times can teach one a lot and is focused on always giving his 100 per cent whenever he gets a chance to play for India.

“Tough times teach you a lot. Stay disciplined, keep learning, and enjoy what you do. Whatever you’re doing, give your 100 percent and find joy in the moment,” Pant stated.

Pant impresses for India A

Meanwhile, Pant did impress on his return to competitive cricket and scored half-centruies in both the unofficial Tests against South Africa A. He played a brilliant knock of 90 in India A's second innings of the first match before scoring 65 runs in the second innings of the next match. It remains to be seen if he will be able to deliver with the bat in the first Test against South Africa that will commence from November 14 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.