Rishab Pant celebrated his Test comeback with a century against Bangladesh in the first Test at Chennai. (Image: rishabpant/Instagram)
One of India’s finest and most talented wicketkeeper-batters Rishabh Pant celebrates his 27th birthday today. Born in Roorkee, Uttarakhand, Pant is a dynamic batter and a skilled gloveman. Having made his international debut in 2017, Pant rose to success quickly. The youngster is known to rack up runs quickly while displaying a fearless brand of cricket. Pant’s aggressive batting style has helped him acquire several notable accolades. On this day, let’s take a look at some of his memorable performances.
Rishabh Pant showcased his explosive batting at Arun Jaitley Stadium against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2018. Representing Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) shirt, the wicketkeeper-batter scored 128 runs for his side in a losing effort. He hit 15 boundaries and seven sixes in that match.
In one of his earliest stellar knocks in the IPL, Rishabh Pant racked up 97 runs against Gujarat Lions seven years ago. He hit nine sixes and six boundaries to help the Delhi Daredevils secure a seven-wicket victory back then.
Earlier this year, Rishabh Pant put up an 88-run knock against the Gujarat Titans in the IPL. He slammed Gujarat pacer Mohit Sharma for four sixes and one boundary in the same over. Pant’s exploits sealed a narrow four-run victory for the Delhi Capitals.
Rishabh Pant went on an absolute rampage against the Mumbai Indians five years ago. He took the Wankhede Stadium by storm with a lightning 27-ball 78. Pant hit seven boundaries and seven sixes in the match to help the Delhi Capitals win by 37 runs.
Competing at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, Rishabh Pant smashed a super-fast 69 to secure a four-run victory for the Delhi Capitals. He hit seven boundaries and five sixes against Rajasthan Royals.
Rishabh Pant’s heroic 89 against Australia at Gabba three years ago is easily the most impactful Test knock of his career. Seeing his side on the back foot, Pant stepped up with an unbeaten knock while hitting nine boundaries and one six. His spoils helped India seal a historic victory by three wickets.
Rishab Pant’s highest score in Test cricket came five years ago in Sydney. Playing against Australia, Pant smashed 15 boundaries and one six to help India finish their first innings at 622.
Playing a counterattacking knock of 146, Rishabh Pant bailed India out of trouble against England two years back. Pant’s partner Ravindra Jadeja joined the wicketkeeper to score a century of his own. Yet, India went on to lose the Test by seven wickets.
Almost six years ago, Rishab Pant ignited India’s 464-run chase against England at The Oval. He scored 114 off 146 deliveries to help the visiting side get close to the mammoth total. But his departure saw India lose the fixture by 119 runs.
During the 3rd Test of the India versus Australia series in 2021, Rishabh Pant was in peak form. In the second innings of the match, Pant scored a 118-ball 97 to anchor India’s innings. The match was ultimately drawn.
Rishabh Pant was involved in a life-threatening road accident towards the end of 2022. His car had crashed while he was travelling from Delhi to Roorkee in December. Pant spent several months recovering at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
He shared posts about his training sessions and the improvements he was making on social media.
Pant eventually returned to professional cricket in IPL 2024 where he put up some staggering individual numbers for the Delhi Capitals. He went on to have a stellar T20 World Cup campaign earlier this year, as India won their second crown in Barbados.
He recently celebrated his Test comeback with a century against Bangladesh in the first Test at Chennai. Pant, playing his first test since a near-fatal car crash in December 2022, scored 109 off 128 balls.
