In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 final when David Miller hit Hardik Pandya’s full toss in the air, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant had a similar feeling as millions of Indian fans around the world. Pant felt that the ball would go over the boundary and Miller will take South Africa home. However, Suryakumar Yadav got his hand to the ball and his breathtaking effort on the boundary didn’t just save six runs but dismissed a dangerous Miller as well which meant the last nail in the coffin. More than two months after the T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, Pant said that the ball remained inside the boundary because of Indian fans’ prayers.
"When the ball was in the air, it felt like everything was gone. When it hit the bat, it seemed like a sure-shot six. The ball didn't cross the boundary line because of the Indian fans' prayers,” Pant said on Tanmay Bhat’s YouTube channel.
How Pant fared in Duleep Trophy
Pant recently marked his return to red-ball cricket as he turned up for India B in the first round of Duleep Trophy 2024. After a single-digit score in the first innings, the 26-year-old did not curb his natural instinct to attack. After the top-order collapse, he smashed nine fours and a couple of sixes in his 47-ball 61 to help India B set a target of 275. India B won the game by 76 runs. During the clash, he was chirpy behind the wickets as usual and had banter with Kuldeep Yadav. He even joined India A’s team huddle when captain Shubman Gill was motivating his troops.
Pant’s return to Test cricket
After India B’s win, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for two-Test series against Bangladesh at home. Since the unfortunate car accident on December 30, 2022, Pant will play his first Test match. The Test series is scheduled to begin on September 19 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
"I am not thinking much about it now because I feel in India, people forget after 10-15 days what you have done. So, it is important for you to forget these things as well. That moment will always be there with me, but now we have to move on and focus on what's next," Pant said about his comeback.
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