Rohit Sharma Lauds Rishabh Pant for Making 'Impact Straightaway' on Test Return After 'Tough Times'

Rishabh Pant smashed his sixth Test century, his first since returning to competitive cricket after recovering from injuries he suffered in a horrific car accident in December 2022, on the third day of the opening Test against Bangladesh, which India went on to win by 280 runs on Sunday.

Indian men’s cricket team captain Rohit Sharma was full of praise for his star wicket-keeper-batter and after the win said: “He’s been through some really tough times. The way he has managed himself through those tough times was superb to watch.”

“He came back in the IPL, followed by a very successful World Cup and this is the format he loves the most. For us, it was never about what is he going to do with the bat, we always knew what he had with the bat and with the gloves as well. It was just about giving him the game time,” he added.

Rohit also lauded Pant’s effort in playing the first round of domestic red-ball cricket to ready himself for the longest format of the game.

“Credit to him as well, he went on to play Duleep Trophy and got ready for this Test match and had an impact straightaway in the game,” he said.

Pant asserted that Test cricket is where “I belong the most”.

“100 was special because I love playing in Chennai. After injury I wanted to play all three formats and this was my first Test. Hope to get better every day,” Pant told the broadcasters.

“It was emotional, I wanted to score each and every match which didn’t happen but wanted to do well in Tests, which is where I belong the most. Being on the field gives me pleasure more than anything else.”

“I am always nervous before matches, even after hitting a hundred. And this time I was playing after two years, so nervousness there,” he added.

(With inputs from Agencies)