"He's lost a lot of bit of weight and he's looking so good, so fit" - Sunil Gavaskar lauds Rishabh Pant for magnificent comeback from injury
Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar praised wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant for coming back strongly from the multiple injuries suffered due to a horrific accident in December 2022. The 26-year-old enjoyed a terrific IPL 2024 season for the Delhi Capitals, scoring 446 runs at an average of over 40 in 13 games.
Pant has continued his stellar comeback in the international arena, leading India in run-scoring so far in the ongoing T20 World Cup with 116 runs at an average of almost 39 and a strike rate of 131.81 in four games.
Apart from his batting, Pant has been brilliant behind the stumps with the gloves, taking ten catches in the tournament.
Speaking on Star Sports after India's first Super Eight win over Afghanistan, Gavaskar praised Pant's return to fitness from injury.
"It's a miracle, you know? I mean, we all were so concerned when we heard about the accident. We heard about the severity of the injuries and we were all praying for him just to be ok. But not only has he been ok, he's come back so strongly. He's lost a little bit of weight, which was probably needed and it looked at one stage that he was just maybe getting a little overweight. He's lost a lot of bit of weight and he's looking so good, so fit," said Gavaskar.
Sunil Gavaskar was especially impressed by Rishabh Pant's mobility in taking two skiers in the Afghanistan clash and said:
"Look at his mobility. Those two catches that he took, he was. He ran about 20-30 yards. I know the ball was up in the air, but there was Rohit Sharma there, one of the safest pairs of hands in the game. But wicketkeeper's gloves are always much safer than ordinary hands, you know, plain hands. So he was there and again recognising the situation."
India completed a comfortable win against Afghanistan by 47 runs to begin their Super Eight campaign in style.
"This is the maturity that is so important" - Sunil Gavaskar on Rishabh Pant
Sunil Gavaskar praised Rishabh Pant's maturity and evolution in assessing the conditions and playing accordingly with the bat during the ongoing T20 World Cup.
Despite batting in a new position at No.3, the southpaw has provided India with quickfire cameos to set the side with the ideal platform. A case in point was his valuable 11-ball 20 when India were reeling at 11/1 in the third over.
"This is the maturity that is so important. We've seen it with Hardik Pandya, we are seeing it in Rishabh Pant's cricket. The maturity of understanding conditions. Yes, batting wise, he will still continue to play the game. That's exactly what you want because he's a naturally attacking player and he can upset the bowler totally. That's what he did. He didn't score too many runs. He got 20 in about 10 deliveries at a SR of 200 but that is exactly what you want at that stage," said Gavaskar.
Rishabh Pant's early impetus helped Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya take over in the middle and end overs, propelling India to a formidable 181/8 in 20 overs.
The Men in Blue will next be in action when they take on Bangladesh in their second Super Eight game on Saturday, June 22.