Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant made a remarkable return to cricket following his serious car crash in December 2022. After a 14-month rehabilitation, he was declared fit to play in March 2024 and participated in the Indian Premier League (IPL) that year.

In the IPL, Rishabh Pant's performances were impressive, culminating in a record-breaking deal in November 2024 when he was signed by the Lucknow Super Giants for a record Rs 27 crore, making him one of the highest-paid players in the league's history.

Rishabh Pant made significant contributions with the bat and also behind the wickets during India's successful campaign at the 2024 T20 World Cup. In the final, when South Africa were running away with the match, Rishabh Pant strategically slowed the game's pace by having his knee taped, disrupting the opposition's momentum.

In a Test match against Bangladesh in September 2024, Rishabh Pant equalled Mahendra Singh Dhoni's record of six Test centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper. His century in Chennai came off 124 balls, which was studded with 12 fours and four sixes.

Rishabh Pant's aggressive batting style and fearless approach have drawn comparisons to the legendary Adam Gilchrist. Pant's journey to the top is a story of resilience and determination.

Hailing from Uttarakhand, Pant moved across various states in his early years to pursue his cricketing dreams. He first made the headlines during the 2016 U-19 World Cup, where he scored a record-breaking fifty against Nepal and a century against Namibia. His explosive batting earned him a spot with the Delhi franchise in the Indian Premier League in 2016.

Pant's domestic career has been equally impressive, particularly in the four-day Ranji Trophy. In the 2016-17 season, he scored a century off just 48 balls and became one of the youngest batsmen to record a triple century in domestic cricket.

Test debut and car crash

Despite initially being seen as a limited-overs specialist, Pant's prowess in Test cricket soon became evident. He made his Test debut against England in 2018 and quickly made his mark with a century in England and another in Australia. His fearless batting style and ability to handle pressure has made him a key player for India across all formats.

One of Pant's most memorable performances came in January 2021 during the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series at the Gabba. India was chasing a daunting target of 328 runs against Australia, a ground where the hosts had not lost a Test match in 32 years. Pant played a heroic and unbeaten knock of 89 runs, guiding India to a historic victory and securing the series win. His innings was a masterclass in counter-attacking cricket under immense pressure.

However, Pant's career faced a significant setback in December 2022 when he was involved in a major car crash. The accident resulted in multiple injuries, including serious damage to his right knee. His recovery was expected to take up to two years, but Pant's determination saw him return to competitive cricket much sooner.

Pant made his much-anticipated return to cricket in early 2024, ahead of the IPL season. His comeback has been nothing short of inspirational, demonstrating his mental and physical resilience. He was part of the 2024 T20 World Cup squad and batted at No.3 position and made an impact that helped India lift their second T20 World Cup Trophy.

Pant continues to be a big asset for Indian cricket in all formats, embodying the qualities of a modern cricketing superstar. His journey from the U-19 World Cup to overcoming a near-fatal accident and returning to the cricket field is a testament to his extraordinary spirit and resilience.