'Test cricket is a place where I belong the most': Rishabh Pant on his comeback

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant delivered a breathtaking performance and played a key role in his team’s massive 280-run win over Bangladesh in the first Test in Chennai. He smashed a remarkable century on his Test comeback after his horrific car accident in 2022.

It was the left-handed batter’s first Test match since his return, and his resilience and passion for the format and game were full-on display at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. The Chennai crowd and the Indian players erupted as Rishabh Pant celebrated his hundred while thanking the universe for everything.

This hundred is definitely a lot special: Rishabh Pant

This emotional moment reflected the Indian wicketkeeper’s love for the game and the joy of being back on the field. After India's massive win over Bangladesh in the first Test, the 26-year-old said that he really loves and enjoys playing Test cricket and hopes he entertained the fans with his “special knock” in Chennai.

Rishabh Pant said at the post-match presentation: “This hundred is definitely a lot special because firstly I love playing in Chennai, and secondly, after injury, I was looking to play all three formats, and this was my first match in this format, and hopefully I did better. Loving it every day.”

On his celebration, Pant noted: “Definitely it was emotional; I wanted to score runs in each and every game, which I didn't and couldn't do. But coming back to Test cricket, where I belong the most, being on the field gives me pleasure more than anything else. I just enjoyed batting and got a little bit emotional. I don't know what people say outside.”

Meanwhile, Pant stitched a remarkable 167-run partnership with Shubman Gill, who also scored a stellar 119*, for the fourth wicket, which propelled India to a commanding target of 515 runs against Bangladesh in Chennai.

Batting with Shubman Gill really helped a lot: Rishabh Pant

Reacting to their dazzling partnership, the Team India star said that he shares a great relationship with Gill both on and off their field, and it really helped him. Notably, Gill and Pant have been playing together since their Under-19 days.

On the other hand, Rishabh Pant’s strategic approach to batting was evident as the wicketkeeper said that he assessed the situation on his own, knowing the importance of building a partnership after a shaky start, and that’s how he built a match-winning partnership with Gill.

Pant signed off by saying, “I tried to read the situation in my own way; when you are 30-3, you need to stitch a partnership, and that's what I did with Gill. I feel, when you're batting with someone, you have a great relationship outside the field; it really helps.”

Notably, Rishabh Pant was not only impressive with the bat, but he was also remarkable behind the stumps in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. He made 39 runs in the first innings to stabilize India’s innings after early setbacks in the match, but he managed to convert his good start into an outstanding 109-run knock in the second innings to make a significant impact on his comeback to Test cricket.