Rishabh Pant is relishing every moment following his return from injury, expressing his desire to participate in all three formats of the game. At the beginning of 2023, many, including Pant, were uncertain about his future on the cricket field after a serious car accident in Uttarakhand left his vehicle engulfed in flames. Surviving such a traumatic experience would be considered a blessing for most, let alone competing at the highest level of sport. Remarkably, less than two years later, Pant has surpassed every recovery expectation, and while he missed the home ODI World Cup, he has achieved T20I World Cup glory and is now back in the fray as a Test cricket dynamo.
During his comeback Test, Pant matched MS Dhoni's record for the most centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper and reaffirmed what many have long suspected: despite making his name in T20 cricket, he is most at ease in the Test arena.
"Coming back was definitely emotional because I wanted to score in every match, which I couldn’t quite do in my first innings," Pant remarked after India's 280-run victory over Bangladesh in Chennai. "But returning to Test cricket, where I truly belong, is fantastic. I loved batting out there, and it brought up a lot of emotions. Ultimately, just being on the field is more fulfilling than anything else."
Pant’s return to form saw him tie Dhoni’s century record at what is considered Dhoni's home ground, where he admitted to enjoying the atmosphere. "It's very special because I love playing in Chennai," he stated. "After my injury, I wanted to participate in all three formats, and this is my first Test match back. I’m enjoying it every single day."
While Pant’s first innings score was modest (39), he came in at a challenging 34 for 3, forming a crucial 62-run partnership with his friend Shubman Gill. "I try to assess the situation in my own way," he explained. "When you're at 30 for 3, it's vital to build a partnership, which is precisely what Gill and I did. Having a great relationship with someone off the field really enhances that connection."
Captain Rohit Sharma praised Pant’s remarkable comeback. "He has faced incredibly tough times, and it was impressive to watch how he handled it all," Rohit said. "He made his return to the IPL and followed it with a successful World Cup, and now he’s back in his favourite format.
"It was never about what he would do with the bat; we've always known his abilities with both bat and gloves. The focus was on getting him back into the game and allowing him to gain match experience. Credit goes to him for playing the Duleep Trophy to prepare for this Test match and making an immediate impact."