T20 World Cup 2024: Rohit Sharma's playful gesture makes Rishabh Pant's return to Team India special

The Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team left for the USA on Saturday (May 24) evening for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, starting on June 1. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sent the first group of Indian players to the USA, with the final batch expected to leave later within four days.

Team India head coach Rahul Dravid, along with the support staff and some notable names, departed for the USA and the West Indies on Saturday evening, aiming to clinch their second T20 World Cup title.

Earlier reports claimed that Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are among the first group of players heading to the USA for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024.

Indian cricket team will take flight for New York from Dubai

However, Virat Kohli wasn’t seen with the Indian team that left for the USA, and he might join the second batch for the trip. Well, it is being said that the Indian team is scheduled to fly from Mumbai to Dubai and then take a flight to New York for the upcoming mega event.

The first batch of Team India was comprised of Rohit, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Shivam Dube, and Kuldeep Yadav, along with the support staff. On the other hand, Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan, and Yashasvi Jaiswal are set to depart with the second group for the T20 World Cup 2024.

The wait is over.

We are back!

Let's show your support for #TeamIndia 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/yc69JiclP8

— BCCI (@BCCI) May 25, 2024

These players recently finished their IPL 2024 campaign with the Rajasthan Royals (RR), who suffered a 36-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Qualifier 2 on May 24 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Whereas Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the IPL 2024 Eliminator against RR in Ahmedabad on May 22.

Additionally, Hardik Pandya, the Indian vice-captain for the T20 World Cup 2024, traveled to London after the Mumbai Indians (MI) failed to reach the IPL 2024 playoffs. Hardik has been training in London for a few days and might join the Men in Blue in the USA directly from there.

Rohit Sharma's playful banter with Rishabh Pant goes viral

Meanwhile, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant’s much-awaited reunion with Team India finally happened at the Mumbai Airport. He is likely to make his first appearance in the national jersey at the upcoming mega event after more than 15 months. Before his comeback for India, the talented left-handed batter had a great time with the team at the airport.

Back with the blues 🇮🇳#RP17 pic.twitter.com/SwwS18fGbi

— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) May 25, 2024

Actually, Pant was welcomed back into the Indian team in a very special way, and Indian captain Rohit was the one to make his return more special with his playful gesture before they left for Dubai. A short clip of Rohit and Pant’s adorable exchange is now all over the internet.

In a viral video on social media, Rohit was seen sharing a light-hearted moment with Pant. The amusing incident occurred when Pant playfully offered Rohit a slice of cake, only for the Indian skipper to hilariously dodge it. Adding to the fun, Rohit jokingly requested fans not to turn on their cameras during the exchange. Now, this moment has been winning hearts on social media.

Watch Here:

Captain Rohit Sharma & Rishabh Pant having fun at the airport.❤️

- Rohit & Pant Combo is back for India...!!!!! 🔥pic.twitter.com/fMdYkLIk60

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) May 26, 2024