All eyes were focused on Rishabh Pant as he walked in to bat with India B struggling at 22/3 during a keenly contested Duleep Trophy encounter in Bengaluru. The match had garnered the biggest turnout of the tournament thus far, with eager cricket enthusiasts craving a touch of ‘star’ power. The action-packed third day had been marked by impressive performances and high-quality cricket, but the crowd had missed a significant moment when KL Rahul was bowled out after a slow-paced 111-ball 37. Anticipation was rife as Pant stepped up to the crease, with the second session already witnessing five wickets tumble, showcasing the might of bowlers Khaleel Ahmed and Akash Deep, who both exhibited their skill with the new ball.
One of Pant’s main competitors for a spot in India’s Test squad, Dhruv Jurel, had managed just 2 runs with the bat. He had taken a spectacular catch in the first innings and followed up with five neat takes in the second, making his case as a formidable wicket-keeper. Pant, on the other hand, was relatively under the radar for his wicket-keeping, being tested by wayward deliveries that necessitated numerous agile dives behind the stumps. Despite managing to take a catch down the leg side, Pant’s batting in the first innings was far from impressive.
During a brief 10-ball stay, Pant attempted to counterattack against the disciplined bowling of Akash Deep, only to be dismissed in an ungraceful fashion. This unconvincing performance, witnessed by chief India selector Ajit Agarkar and fellow selector Shiv Sundar Das, raised questions about his current form. As he returned to bat late in the second session, Pant was met with an intense atmosphere, with Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan crowding around him. However, Pant remained silent and focused, ready to prove his mettle.
In his first 13 deliveries, Pant refrained from playing any extravagant shots, opting instead for careful batting. He managed to score a couple of boundaries—a subtle dab to third man and a powerful punch through the offside—yet maintained a measure of mindfulness. Pant walked off unbeaten at the tea break with 10 runs off five balls. Resuming after the break, he adopted a similar cautious approach, seizing opportunities to pick boundaries off any loose deliveries from the bowlers. However, the arrival of Akash Deep changed the game.
. Upon narrowly escaping dismissal once, Pant switched gears, audaciously executing a reverse lap between Jurel and KL Rahul at first slip. The following delivery saw Pant going for another aggressive shot, but a top-edge had him look skywards in dismay. Jurel, failing to catch the awkwardly falling ball, gave Pant a reprieve. Another fortunate escape followed in the next over when a miscued pull went over Jurel’s head.
With the fortune favoring him, Pant eventually made a significant impact on his return to red-ball cricket. He tackled Kuldeep Yadav’s spin bowling with characteristic flair, employing cuts and drives to bring up his 20th First Class fifty off just 37 balls.
Pant’s previous First Class outing had been a Test match against Bangladesh in December 2022, where his quickfire 93 was crucial in securing an Indian victory. However, his life took an unexpected turn five days after that game when he survived a serious car crash. Pant’s rehabilitation journey was long and arduous, culminating in his return to competitive cricket earlier this year. Showcasing his fitness and resilience in the Indian Premier League with the Delhi Capitals, Pant impressed with three half-centuries. However, his performance in the international circuit had been inconsistent, barring a couple of notable forties in the T20 World Cup.
As India nears finalizing their selection for the upcoming Tests against Bangladesh starting on September 19, Pant’s recent form has been closely scrutinized. This format has historically seen Pant at his best, contributing significantly to the Indian Test squad with his aggressive yet effective batting style. In the three years preceding his accident, Pant recorded four centuries, second only to Rohit Sharma’s five, emphasizing his importance in the team.
Dhruv Jurel’s sharp wicket-keeping and competent batting have kept him in contention for the coveted spot. However, Pant’s flamboyant return to form promises selection dilemmas for the Indian cricket board, offering a burst of energy and experience to the team. His comeback can be seen as a positive headache for the selectors, having to choose between two capable players for the all-important role.