Rishabh Pant's accident controversially labelled good by former Indian chief selector

Former India chief selector MSK Prasad has recently revealed the turning point in the career of India's star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. Prasad reckons that the life-threatening accident of Rishabh Pant in the year 2022 changed his life.

Pant had a major accident in December 2022. He suffered major injuries after the accident which kept him out of numerous important tournaments as well. Pant missed the much-important 2023 ODI World Cup and the IPL 2023 as well.

However, he made a successful comeback from injury in IPL 2024 and showed good form with the bat. He was selected in India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, where he played key cameos as India became the T20 World Champions.

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MSK Prasad reveals the turning point in Rishabh Pant's life

During an interview with the TOI, MSK Prasad opened up on Rishabh Pant and his comeback. He feels that the accident has been the turning point in Rishabh Pant's life and he has become more responsible about life since then.

"After the injury, he (Rishabh Pant) has become more responsible. He had a year to sit back and introspect. God gave him a second life, and he has realized that, and now that realization is reflecting in his game and life," Prasad noted.

"The recovery period has really taught Pant a lot. At some stage in someone's career, there is always a turning point. The injury has done more good to Pant than harm," he added.

Pant has been in fine form in Test format recently. In the two Tests against Bangladesh, he scored 161 runs at an average of 53.66. He scored a hundred in his first Test on his return to Test cricket.

MSK Prasad hails Rishabh Pant for his partnership with Sarfaraz Khan

MSK Prasad also noted how Pant was communicating with Sarfaraz Khan during their mammoth partnership in the first Test against New Zealand. While Pant fell one run short of a hundred, Sarfaraz smashed his maiden Test century and finished with 150 off 195 balls.

"The way he was talking to Sarfaraz (Khan), guiding and encouraging him to play lofted shots. He was rotating the strike with him, giving continuous pep talks, shouting at him, and guiding him in the Bengaluru Test," he added.

Both Pant and Sarfaraz stitched together a partnership of 177 runs to bring India back on track. But their partnership wasn't enough to take India across the line as the home team lost the match by 8 wickets.

Rishabh Pant has become philosophical - MSK Prasad

The former India wicketkeeper further mentioned that Pant has become more philosophical after the accident and cares more about life. He called him a mature individual who is taking more responsibility now.

"When I personally spoke to Pant, he said he has become a bit philosophical. He discussed his life post-injury and what he learned from the period he spent bedridden after that horrific accident. He has become philosophical. He takes more responsibility now, and he is more caring towards life. Such changes have come in Pant. He looks more mature now," Prasad reckoned.

Rishabh Pant got injured in the Bengaluru Test while wicketkeeping when he was hit on the knee. He went off the field straight away but came out to bat in India's second innings and scored a valuable 99 off 105 balls.

It remains to be seen whether Pant is fit to play in the next Test or not. He is one of the most important players for India in Test cricket and the Indian team management will be careful about his fitness and injuries.