The T20 World Cup is set to be Rishabh Pant's big comeback stage for Team India. The T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan will be his first match against India's arch-rivals since a horrific car accident sidelined him in December 2022. After dazzling with the bat in India's warm-up against Bangladesh and campaign opener against Ireland, Pant is all set to roar in the high-voltage clash against Babar Azam's brigade.
Right ahead of the electrifying clash Pant talked about the disappointment on missing the ODI World Cup 2023 final against Australia due to injury. He even hinted that India's outcome against Australia in November might have been different if he'd been there.
"If I had played the 2023 Cricket World Cup Final then, we would have either been all out for 150 or 200 runs or would have scored over 300+ runs," Pant said while speaking to India TV’s Rajat Sharma.
After a harrowing car accident in December 2022, Rishabh Pant's return to cricket came via the IPL 2024 season. While his team, the Delhi Capitals, didn't qualify for the playoffs, Pant's performance throughout the season showcased his regained fitness. This impressive comeback earned him a well-deserved spot on the Indian team for the T20 World Cup, marking his return to international cricket after an 18-month absence.
Fresh off his match-winning knock against Ireland, Rishabh Pant will look to all guns blazing in the high-voltage T20 World Cup clash against arch-rivals Pakistan. He also proved his batting prowess in the recently-concluded IPL 2024. While leading the Delhi Capitals he amassed 446 runs with a blistering strike rate of 155.40.
India is primed for a historic clash against Pakistan on June 9. This T20 World Cup matchup in the United States is expected to draw a record-breaking crowd, the biggest for a cricket match ever played there. It'll be the eighth time these arch-rivals face off in the World Cup, with India holding a dominant 6-1 lead. Pakistan's lone victory came in the 2021 edition, where they outplayed Virat Kohli's team in the UAE.
However, the stakes are much higher for Pakistan this time around. A loss to India, combined with a win for the USA against either India or Ireland, could send Babar Azam's men crashing out of the tournament in the group stage itself.
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