The BCCI unveiled India’s 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States on Tuesday. Following a terrifying, nearly fatal accident in December 2022, 16 months ago, Rishabh Pant is making his first successful comeback to international cricket.
Rishabh Pant returns to T20 World Cup 2024
Pant’s resilience and stellar performance in this year’s IPL secured his spot, alongside Chennai Super Kings’ Shivam Dube, who impressed with his bat in the tournament. While Pant will take the gloves, Sanju Samson has been chosen as his understudy. Notably absent from the squad is KL Rahul, with the selectors opting for Samson’s inclusion.
The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has impressed with his return to elite cricket this year, scoring 398 runs from 11 games in the ongoing Indian Premier League.
The wicketkeeper, 26, has not played for India since sustaining serious injuries in the crash in December 2022. India began their World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5.
They play all of their matches in the initial group stage in the United States, the tournament’s co-hosts, along with the West Indies, including a showpiece meeting with rival Pakistan in New York on Sunday, June 9.
India’s journey begins on June 5 against Ireland in New York, followed by a highly-anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan.
Kohli returns but Gill and Rahul are left out
Virat Kohli, who missed that contest for personal reasons, returns, while Jasprit Bumrah is one of only three frontline pace bowlers in the squad, along with Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj. Rohit Sharma will lead the side with under-fire vice-captain Hardik Pandya, with veteran wicketkeeper K.L. Rahul making way for Pant’s return.
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Yashasvi Jaiswal, player of the series in India’s Test series win against England earlier this year, has also been selected.
Shubman Gill only makes the list of reserve players, while wicketkeeper KL Rahul has been omitted entirely, with Sanju Samson preferred.
Pant returns to India after a car accident
Pant had termed his comeback to the game “nothing short of a miracle” after a road crash in December 2022, when his Mercedes rammed into a barrier, flipped, and caught fire near New Delhi.”The kind of accident I had, I’m lucky to be alive,” he said in December.
“I think it was very challenging, especially the first part. I would say more from a physical point of view. There was a lot of pain to be endured.”
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The crash left him with a damaged ligament in his right knee, a hurt wrist and ankle, and abrasions to his back. He fought back after an intensive rehabilitation program and time on crutches at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.
Pant was reinstated as captain of Delhi Capitals for the ongoing season after Australia opener David Warner led the team in his absence last year. His first match back earned him a standing ovation from the crowd after a 51 off 32 balls. Pant has played for India a total of 129 times in all three formats since 2017.
Squad
Rohit Sharma (captain), Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj.
The bowling department has excellent performances that boast a formidable pace trio in Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Jasprit Bumrah, supported by a spin quartet comprising Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Axar Patel.
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Batting mainstays Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav have also been named to the squad, while Shubman Gill was among the four reserves.
The star all-rounder, best known as Pandya, is coming back into the T20 team after an ankle injury sustained during last year’s ODI World Cup at home forced him to sit out the Afghanistan series in January.
“This is an individual that is going to represent the country in less than six weeks’ time, and all are going to cheer him and want him to do well.”
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