Rishabh Pant Begins Training for Red-Ball Comeback in Duleep Trophy

Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant is gearing up for his red-ball comeback in the prestigious Duleep Trophy, scheduled to start on September 5. Pant, who recently recovered from a car accident in December 2022, took to Instagram to share a video of his training session, showcasing his trademark shots.

Expressing his dedication, Pant captioned the post with these inspiring words: “I try not to have expectations because they can tend to tear you apart. I try to work as hard as I possibly can and give every ounce of a hundred percent & keep learning from it. #RP17.”

Following his recovery, Pant returned to action during the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he captained the Delhi Capitals. Despite the team finishing sixth and narrowly missing the playoffs with seven wins and seven losses, Pant emerged as the top run-scorer with 446 runs in 13 matches, boasting a strike rate of over 155, including three half-centuries.

Pant’s stellar performances haven’t gone unnoticed in international cricket, particularly during India’s victorious ICC T20 World Cup campaign. He was the third-highest run-getter for India, amassing 171 runs at an average of 24.42. Additionally, he set a record for the most dismissals (14) by a wicketkeeper in a single T20 World Cup edition, playing a pivotal role in India’s triumph after a 13-year ICC World Cup drought.

Representing India B in the upcoming Duleep Trophy, Pant will then gear up for a two-match Test series against Bangladesh starting on September 19. Renowned for his decisive performances in red-ball cricket, Pant has established himself as one of India’s leading batters since his Test debut in 2018.

With a stellar record of 2,271 runs in 33 Tests at an average of 43.67 and a strike rate exceeding 73, Pant has five centuries and 11 fifties to his name, with a top score of 159*. Fans are eagerly anticipating Pant’s participation in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, commencing on November 22.

Having excelled in Australian conditions, Pant has amassed 624 runs in seven matches at an impressive average of over 62, which includes a century and two half-centuries. As he prepares for his return to red-ball cricket, all eyes will be on Pant’s performance in the Duleep Trophy as selectors and fans alike eagerly wait to see him back in top form.