Rishabh Pant is making his return to red-ball cricket after more than two years with the Indian domestic season kicking off with the Duleep Trophy. After the horrific accident in 2022, Pant made a resounding comeback earlier this year in the IPL and went on to win the T20 World Cup with team India; and only Test cricket remains to complete his miraculous and arduous journey back to cricket. Playing the Duleep Trophy is the first step towards it and the Delhi stumper is grateful that he is back to doing what does best.
“I think it is an amazing feeling for me, also because when I met with the accident two years ago, I used to always think about when I will be able to play for India again. In the last six months, I played TATA IPL, and we also won the World Cup,” said Pant on Jio Cinema during the Duleep Trohy 2024 coverage.
India C vs India D, Duleep Trophy 2024 Live, Day 1: Follow IND-C vs IND-D Latest Score and Match Updates
Great Feeling to be Playing for India Again
It’s a great feeling as I had always dreamt of winning the World Cup since I was a kid. Now again I am returning to red-ball cricket and will play my first match in Duleep trophy almost after more than two years,” he went on to add.
Pant, part of India B team in the revamped version of the tournament got to bat on Day 1 itself and started off well putting away a juicy full toss from Avesh Khan and looking in an aggressive mode. However, his stay was short courtesy a terrific running catch by India A skipper Shubman Gill off the bowling of Akash Deep. Pant’s innings lasted ten balls and he scored seven runs.
Importance of playing Domestic Cricket
Further explained the importance of playing domestic cricket, specifically the Duleep trophy, the 26-year-old said, “I think it is very important for us to play domestic cricket because as a cricketer match practice is always very important. Especially coming back to domestic cricket, the youngsters also learn a lot of things from us, they see you playing here, even after playing international cricket. There is a lot to give back to domestic cricket. It also gives us the opportunity to share all the learnings and experiences from international cricket with our colleagues, especially with the young players and newcomers; it gives them a huge boost since we all have reached here from playing domestic cricket.”
India A vs India B, Duleep Trophy 2024 Live, Day 1: Follow IND-A vs IND-B Latest Score and Match Updates
Eyeing India vs Bangladesh Series
India’s next international assignment will be the two-match Test series against Bangladesh starting September 19 – the start of India’s international season and the Indian squad for the same is expected to be announced next week. Pant will most likely be part of the team and talking about the preparations for the series, he said, “Asian countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka perform well in Asian conditions because they are accustomed to the wickets. However, as the Indian cricket team, we focus solely on our own standards and how we can improve. Regardless of the opposition, we strive to play with the same intensity and give our hundred percent every single day.”
“I believe the pressure will always be there because in international cricket, you can’t take any series lightly. The margin between winning and losing is very small, and nowadays, the gap between international teams isn’t much either. However, we have to give our hundred percent regardless, and that mindset has worked well for me so far,” he concluded.
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