Team India wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant shared adorable pictures of him spending quality time with his family on his sister’s birthday on Monday, September 25.
The wicketkeeper-batsman shared an endearing snap with mother and sister on social media. The 25-year-old, who also turns 26 on October 4, shared a photo on Instagram with family alongside heart emojis and party poppers. In the photo, Pant was seen wearing a gray T-shirt, black pants, a matching hat and colorful socks.
Take a look at Rishabh Pant’s latest Instagram post:
On the professional front, Pant has made significant progress in his rehabilitation during his stint at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Last month, the left-handed batsman resumed batting practice in nets for the first time after surviving a horrific car accident in December last year. He also undergoes strength and fitness exercises.
In a statement on July 21, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) gave the latest fitness updates on Pant. The statement read:
“While Pant has made significant progress in his rehabilitation and has started batting as well as keeping the nets in. He is currently following a fitness program designed for him that includes strength, flexibility and running.
Rishabh Pant is likely to make his comeback during the five-match Test series against England at home in January next year (via Sports Today).
Team India will play their opening match against England in Hyderabad from January 25 to 29. The action then shifts to Vizag (February 2-6) and Rajkot (February 15-19). The last two Tests will be played in Ranchi (February 23-27) and Dharamsala (March 7-11) respectively.
“He’s a huge miss at the moment” – Former England captain over Rishabh Pant
Former England captain Nasser Hussain spoke about the significance of Rishabh Pant in India’s middle order, especially in Tests. He told the ICC:
“I was traveling a lot with Ricky (Ponting) during the Ashes, and he was texting Rishabh, and Rishabh was in the gym and he was getting updates. He’s a huge miss at the moment and hopefully he’ll come back.”
India missed out on Pant in the final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), which they lost to Australia by 209 runs at the Oval in London earlier this year.
The left-handed batsman had a great record against the Aussies. He has scored 624 runs in seven Tests against them at an average of 62.40, including one ton and two half-centuries, with a best score of 159*. The wicketkeeper-batsman was one of the big heroes behind Australia’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy series win in 2020-2021.
Rishabh Pant also has a good record against England, with 781 runs in 12 Tests, including three centuries and four half-centuries.