New Delhi: More than seven months after a near-fatal car accident, Rishabh Pant is back to doing what he does best – tonking the cricket ball.
The Team India wicketkeeper-batter, sidelined from cricket since December-end, was seen hitting the ball in his customary manner on a cricket field during a practice game at JSW Vijaynagar in Karnataka.
Pant, who has been doing his rehab and recovery at Bengaluru’s National Cricket Academy, is on a visit to JSW Steel, Vijaynagar Works, where he was shown around by Parth Jindal.
Parth, the Director of Delhi Capitals co-owners JSW Sports, tweeted: “Had the pleasure of showing my captain what we @jswsteel do best – make steel for India and the world. Was a real pleasure to welcome @RishabhPant17 to the Vijaynagar works of @TheJSWGroup – great to see you recovering champ – take care and see you back on the pitch soon @DelhiCapitals @BCCI.”
Pant, the designated captain of Delhi Capitals who was forced to miss IPL 2023, also found the time to don his pads and gloves as he went out to bat in front of a cheering crowd.
A viral video on social media shows the left-handed batsman playing his shots freely, and even lofting a ball to the outfield with typical flamboyance.
Watch the video shared by fans on X:
Rishabh Pant’s batting practice, recovery has been excellent.
– Great news for Indian cricket. pic.twitter.com/KThpdkagDz
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 16, 2023
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had stated last month that Pant – who survived a horrific car accident while he was driving from Roorkee to New Delhi in the early hours of December 30 – had resumed batting and keeping at NCA.
But this was the first image of the swashbuckling star in action.
Pant underwent ligament surgery in January after suffering multiple injuries in the car crash.
Team India felt Pant’s absence in the World Test Championship final in June, and will miss him in the upcoming ODI World Cup as well.
