During his debut for India in 2017, Rishabh Pant, having impressed in the 2016 Under-19 World Cup, expressed gratitude for the welcoming atmosphere created by both senior and super-senior players.
Reflecting on his debut in 2017, Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant expressed gratitude for the warm reception he received from senior players, highlighting their role in making him feel comfortable. Following an impressive performance in the 2016 Under-19 World Cup, the 26-year-old debuted during the final T20I against England in Bengaluru, contributing to India’s comprehensive 75-run victory with a notable unbeaten five runs in their formidable total of 202/6.
On Star Sports’ ‘Believe’ series, Pant shared how the welcoming nature of the team, including the super seniors, alleviated any nervousness, emphasizing the positive team culture that proved especially beneficial at the beginning of his international career at the age of 17-18.
“The majority of the time I didn’t feel like that. I was in awe at the beginning. You had watched all of them on TV. But they were all welcoming. Even the super seniors made me comfortable. It’s the team culture to make everyone comfortable. And when it happens at the start, it’s good. Because at 17-18 years you know nothing about life,” said Pant.
“You have experiences, of course; I tried to learn as a kid. I think all of these things are a benefit, not everyone gets experiences like these. And the things you learn from your experiences help you a lot in your life. Your brain starts reading life like that,” he added.
Emerging as arguably India’s top match-winner in Tests in recent years, Pant boasts an impressive record of 2,271 runs in red-ball cricket, averaging 43.67 with five centuries.
However, Pant’s journey hit a critical point in December 2022 when a harrowing car accident left him with multiple injuries, including a ligament tear in his right knee and facial cuts. Recounting the incident, Pant revealed feeling that his time in this world was nearly over, emphasizing his gratitude for surviving and the determination to reduce the projected recovery time of 16-18 months through rigorous effort.
Present at the IPL auction last December, Pant is said to be on course for a comeback in the upcoming 2024 season as the leader of the Delhi Capitals.
Last Updated on February 1, 2024
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