He surprised everyone with his keeping – Ravi Shastri on Rishabh Pant’s inspiring comeback

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri said Rishabh Pant surprised one and all with his wicket-keeping after making a comeback from a horrific car accident. Pant suffered multiple injuries and returned to action in IPL 2024 after a year-long hiatus.

While many expected Pant to hit the ground running with the bat, there were doubts on his wicket-keeping fitness. However, Pant proved his mettle while leading the Delhi Capitals in the last season.

Pant scored 446 runs (most for DC) in 13 matches of the edition at an average of 40.55 and a blistering strike rate of 155.40. Thus, Pant was able to make the cut into India’s T20 World Cup squad. The left-hander scored 171 runs in eight matches of the T20I showpiece at an average of 24.42 and a strike rate of 127.61 and ergo played an.instrumental role in taking India to glory.

Pant was impressive in front of the wickets and he was equally impressive behind them as well.

While talking about the most surprising player at the World Cup, Shastri told ICC, “For me Rishabh Pant. Because, let’s face it, we all know how talented he his, what he can do. But for him to come back after that injury, to really come back from nowhere, you know from the jaws of death to come out and then you know respond and play in the fashion he did.”

Pant was backed to bat at number three after Virat Kohli opened the innings with skipper Rohit Sharma.

“He was sent at number 3, given that extra responsibility. He did his job with the bat. But it was his keeping that really surprised everyone.” The former India head coach was also astonished at the wicketkeeper’s rapid fast recovery followed by a series of crucial performances. “You know, for someone to recover that quickly and then move the way he did. He hardly missed anything, albeit he must have felt the pressure as the tournament got on, because it’s not easy to come back and do all the stuff he did and I thought it was the most refreshing thing and a surprise as well and a surprise as well, especially the keeping,” Shastri explained.

Pant is part of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka.