Rishabh Pant named ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2018
What's the story?
Indian wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant who had a sensational Test debut year has been adjudged the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2018.
The Background
The 21-year-old, who made his Test debut against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham in August 2018 has become a permanent fixture in the Indian Test XI- courtesy his valuable knocks down the order and excellent glove work behind the stumps.
Pant registered his maiden Test century in the fifth Test match of that series at the Oval, London and almost took India to an emphatic win. Unfortunately, India lost that game and the series by a margin of 1-4.
The heart of the matter
Meanwhile, the ICC has announced the Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2018 and it is none other than Rishabh Pant, who had a phenomenal 2018 both with the bat as well as behind the stumps.
Pant, who became the first ever Indian wicket-keeper to score a Test century in England, continued his good run with the willow against Australia during the four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy and went on to finish the series as the second highest run-getter behind Cheteshwar Pujara with 350 runs in seven innings.
In the drawn Test match at Sydney, Pant scored a brilliant 159*(189 balls) thereby becoming the first ever Indian wicket-keeper to score a Test century in Australia. His glovework behind the stumps was also exceptional as he finished with 42 catches in Tests last year.
It was the joint most by a wicket-keeper in a debut calendar year. He also equalled the record for most catches taken in a Test match (11 against Australia at Adelaide in December 2018).
What's next?
For Pant, who has so far played 9 Tests, 3 ODIs and 10 T20Is in his career it is an incredible achievement and a reflection of his excellence. The Emerging Player of the 2018 IPL is now the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year!