"The injury has done more good to Pant than harm" - MSK Prasad on the impact of the wicketkeeper's life-changing accidentÂ
Former India wicketkeeper and chief selector MSK Prasad believes Rishabh Pant's grueling car accident in 2022 has helped him streamline his career and help him evolve mentally. Pant was out of action for over a year but made a stellar recovery, and has cemented his status again as an all-format player.
He returned to action through the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season for the Delhi Capitals (DC). After a prolific campaign while leading the franchise, he earned a place in Team India's squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Pant also reclaimed his Test spot, and scored a ton on his return during the home series against Bangladesh.
MSK Prasad feels that the accident was a turning point in his life, and may have been a blessing in disguise.
"After the injury, he has become more responsible. He had a year to sit back and introspect. God gave him a second life, and he has realised that, and now that realisation is reflecting in his game and life. The way he was talking to Sarfaraz, guiding and encouraging him to play lofted shots. He was rotating the strike with him, giving continuous pep talks, shouting at him, and guiding him in the Bengaluru Test," MSK Prasad said in an interview with the Times of India.
"The recovery period has really taught Pant a lot. At some stage in someone's career, there is always a turning point. The injury has done more good to Pant than harm," he added
MSK Prasad added that the wicketkeeper-batter appears much more mature after breaking into the team as a raw prospect and garnering a reputation for his childish attitude at times.
"When I personally spoke to Pant, he said he has become a bit philosophical. He discussed his life post-injury and what he learned from the period he spent bedridden after that horrific accident. He has become philosophical. He takes more responsibility now, and he is more caring towards life. Such changes have come in Pant. He looks more mature now," he said.
Pant recently played a brilliant innings to lead India's fightback in the second innings of the first Test against New Zealand. The southpaw scored 99 runs, stitching up a massive partnership with Sarfaraz Khan, but narrowly missed out on a hundred after being bowled by William O'Rourke.
"He is not someone who is bothered about hundreds or anything" - MSK Prasad on Rishabh Pant
Pant's dismissal on 99 triggered a spark among fans and pundits as it marked the seventh instance where he has been dismissed in the so-called 'nervous 90s'. The southpaw has got out three times in the 90s across his last eight Test appearances.
"Why are we calling it the nervous 90s? Do you think it is nervous 90s? He might be getting out, but I don't think it is nervous 90s. If someone is nervous, he will not get out in the 90s so many times. He is not someone who is bothered about hundreds or anything. Pant is a player who doesn't play for stats. If there was any nervousness in his batting, he wouldn't have converted all his 90s into 100s," MSK Prasad opined in the same interaction.
Pant is a doubt for the second Test against New Zealand in Pune after sustaining a blow to his knee while keeping wickets. While he stepped out to bat in the second innings, Dhruv Jurel donned the wicketkeeping gloves in the latter half of the contest.