Former Australia captain Tim Paine and Rishabh Pant have been involved in memorable on-field banter. Their exchanges during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2018-19 were widely shared on social media. In India's previous tour of Australia, Pant emerged as arguably India's best overseas wicketkeeper-batter in the format.
Pant missed the Test series against Australia at home and the World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 final after his horrific car accident that kept him away from the action for 14 months. While the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-24 is plenty of months away, Paine wants Pant to be fully fit as a wicketkeeper-batter for the tour.
"It certainly did. A lot has been said about the ordeal he went through and how close he was to losing a leg. Just to see him walk back onto the field, as a cricket fan and as a fan of Rishabh. I know we had out banter back and forth, it was really cheeky and good fun," Paine said on ESPN's Around the Wicket.
"I have always had fun chatting with him off the field, enjoyed watching him play."
Paine admits he lacked Pant’s ‘courage’
Paine also admitted that he wanted to approach the game as fearlessly as Pant does but did not have the courage or the skill to do it.
"He played cricket like I always wanted to. I didn't have the courage, to take the game on or even the skill."
"I certainly appreciate what he brings to the game, the joy he brings to the Indian cricket team fans. I can't wait to keep watching him and hopefully, he is fit and well enough to make it to Australian shores for the summer," said Paine.
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Pant’s return to the field
Meanwhile, Pant returned to competitive cricket in Delhi Capitals’ (DC) campaign opener against Punjab Kings (PBKS). The wicketkeeper-batter contributed with a cameo but looked comfortable running between the wicket and donning the gloves.
The 26-year-old will have a chance to regain his form against Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Jaipur on March 28.
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