India’s swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is celebrating his 25th birthday today. Pant, who idolized Adam Gilchrist, has turned out to be a player of the same caliber. His ability to destroy the opposition and change the course of the game in the blink of an eye has made him one of the most important players in the Indian squad recently.
Pant is out of the team due to his major accident but he is on his way to recovery very soon. Pant’s brief career has seen many memorable performances. From his jaw-dropping batting in tests to his hard-hitting display in limited overs format, his craft is unparalleled.
The wicketkeeper-batsman from Uttarakhand burst onto the scene in the 2016 U19 World Cup which was hosted by Bangladesh. Pant played some blazing knocks including the one against Nepal where he scored 75 runs from just 24 balls. His outstanding performance in the U19 World Cup caught everyone’s attention. In the IPL auctions that year he was bought by Delhi Daredevils which gave him a brilliant opportunity to show his mettle at the grand stage of the IPL.
He got his India call-up for the T20 series against England at home. He donned the Indian jersey for the first time in the same series at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. His consistent performances in the IPL and the domestic circuit earned him a place in the Indian test team for the England tour. On that tour, Pant smashed a ton in the third test which kicked off a series of remarkable knocks in the whites. He scored 114 runs in testing English conditions and showed everyone that his approach in test cricket distinguishes him from everyone.
In the next big away tour to Australia, he scored 159 runs in Sydney in what was India’s first test series victory in Australia. The next time India toured Australia Pant did something that is forever etched in the consciousness of Indian cricket. His historic match-winning knock of 89 not out in the second innings helped India chase a massive target of 329 at the Gabba. That knock helped India defeat Australia in Brisbane which was the first loss that Aussies suffered at the Gabba in almost 30 years. That series was probably the most grueling and testing one that India has ever played. The Indian team was plagued with multiple injuries and the inexperienced youngsters stepped up to create history, winning a series in Australia twice in a row. Pant’s contribution and his winning shot to clinch the series for India are still fresh in the memory of Indian fans.
Pant in his small career has made a special place in the hearts of Indian fans. His accident has kept him out of the Indian team for a long time but he is not too far from wearing the Indian jersey once again. His return will be a much-celebrated moment for the Indian fans as the dynamo will try to make his mark once again. Rishabh Pant will be one of the most crucial players for the Men in Blue in years to come. His short career has given a teaser of what all is in store for Indian cricket. The Indian fans would hope that the movie is as glittering as the teaser.