Source: Hindustan Times
Pakistan legend Wasim Akram praises Rishabh Pant’s mental strength in his Test comeback after a nearly 2 year absence.
Rishabh Pant’s century on his return to the Indian Test team was one of the most heartwarming takeaways from India’s resounding victory in the first match against Bangladesh in Chennai. Marking his return after nearly two years away from the format, Pant looked to be back at his best as he scored 109 in India’s second innings, looking like his typical self.
Praise for Pant’s mentality and ability to bounce back despite his near-fatal accident has come in for all quarters. Commenting on India’s performance, Pakistan legend Wasim Akram tipped his hat to the dashing keeper-batter.
“Look at Pant’s performance, the miracle he has performed by proving he is almost superhuman in his return from such a tragedy,” said Akram. “When the accident happened, we were all deeply concerned, even in Pakistan. I was worried and tweeted about him,” Akram shared, reflecting the global concern in the cricket community after Pant’s accident.
Pant missed several important series during his recovery, including Australia’s tour in 2023, England’s visit in 2024, and the 2023 WTC final. Akram emphasized how revolutionary and courageous Pant’s batting style is and praised him for continuing to play with the same boldness and flair.
“The way he used to play in Test cricket, the way he performed in Australia with the century then,” said the Pakistan legend. “The way he batted against England, playing a reverse-sweep against [James] Anderson in Test cricket, even [Pat] Cummins. He’s special.”
In particular, Akram expressed how impressed he was with the courage and mental strength that Pant had shown to be able to return to top-level sport and make such a statement upon his comeback. “Especially what he has been through in that horrific accident, coming back from that, how mentally strong must that boy be.”
“That’s a story to be told for generations and generations, in my opinion, to motivate young people of the world. You can come back the way Pant did,” said Akram, heaping the compliments on Pant.
“He returned and averaged 40 in the IPL, scoring 446 runs at a strike rate of 155. He’s a miracle kid,” concluded the Pakistan pacer, praising the Indian wicketkeeper without hesitation. Pant made his comeback to the IPL as captain of the Delhi Capitals, showing no signs of rust as if he had never been away.
Pant is now set to feature in the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, starting on September 27.
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