[Watch] Rishabh Pant performs Shawn Michaels' kip-up during Duleep Trophy 2024
Team India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant played the first round of the ongoing 17th edition of the Duleep Trophy. The keeper-batter played for India B in their opening encounter against Team A at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Before the start of a day's play, Pant entertained fans by performing World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Hall of Famer Shawn Michael's 'kip-up' while playing football with his teammates. The 26-year-old's athleticism received a thumbs up from the crowd as he got a big cheer.
Rishabh Pant was dismissed for just seven runs in Team B's first innings. However, he redeemed himself with a quick-fire half-century in the subsequent essay, scoring 61 runs off 47 balls.
The wicketkeeper is set to don India's Test whites after almost two years. Pant is part of the Men in Blue's squad for their Test series opener against Bangladesh. The match kicks off in Chennai on Thursday, September 19.
Rishabh Pant last played a Test match in December 2022
Rishabh Pant's last Test appearance came against Bangladesh in December 2022 during India's two-match away-from-home series.
The southpaw shone with the bat in India's first innings. He narrowly missed out on a well-deserved century, losing his wicket after a 93-run knock. The visitors completed a three-wicket victory in the clash to clinch the series 2-0.
It is worth mentioning that following the completion of the Test series, Pant was involved in a horrific car crash while going to Uttarakhand from Delhi on December 30, 2022.
He suffered multiple injuries in the accident, which ruled him out of the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), World Test Championship (WTC) final and the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Pant returned to international cricket after being picked for the 2024 T20 World Cup. India beat South Africa by seven runs in the final to lift the coveted trophy. The left-handed batter scored 171 runs across eight innings at the showpiece event.