Cricket

Rishabh Pant, the dynamic wicket-keeper batter, is poised to make a triumphant return to international red-ball cricket after being named in the Indian squad for the first Test against Bangladesh, commencing on September 19. This marks Pant's comeback after an extended absence of approximately 20 months, following severe injuries sustained in a car accident in 2022.Pant's return has been met with widespread anticipation, as he is widely regarded as a key member of the Indian cricket team. He played a pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign and recently made his ODI comeback against Sri Lanka.WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff has expressed his admiration for Pant's resilience and dedication, commenting on his comeback with the words, "Discipline and commitment. Deadly combination."Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has also hailed Pant's potential, stating that he is on track to become an all-time great in Test cricket. However, Ganguly emphasized the need for Pant to improve his performance in shorter formats.The Indian selectors have opted to give Mohammed Shami additional time to recover from ankle surgery, while including uncapped left-arm pacers Yash Dayal and Akash Deep in the squad. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will serve as the frontline pacers.Ganguly expressed confidence in the Indian bowling attack, despite Shami's absence, stating that it remains a formidable unit. He also highlighted the importance of spin in Indian conditions, with Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav forming a formidable quartet.Pant's return to the Indian Test team is a testament to his unwavering determination and the high regard in which he is held by the cricketing fraternity. As he embarks on this new chapter, he will be eager to prove his worth and contribute to India's success on the international stage.

Sai Kishore, the promising all-rounder from Tamil Nadu, is poised for a comeback after overcoming a debilitating neck injury. The Gujarat Titans player made waves in IPL 2024 with his match-winning spell against Punjab Kings, earning him the Player of the Match award. However, his success was cut short when he sustained a neck injury while playing golf.Undeterred, Kishore sought rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. In July, he returned to competitive action in the Tamil Nadu Premier League for Tiruppur Tamizhans. Reflecting on his recovery journey, Kishore expressed gratitude for the support he received from various individuals, including his wife."The neck is essential for everything we do," Kishore said. "I couldn't move or sit without excruciating pain. I had to set alarms every two hours to wake up and walk."Despite the challenges, Kishore remained determined to return to the field. "Getting back to normal life was an achievement in itself," he said. "Cricket was a bonus."Kishore exudes confidence in his abilities, declaring himself "one of the best spinners" in India. He aspires to play alongside Ravindra Jadeja in Test cricket, believing it would be an invaluable learning experience."I've never played alongside Jadeja in red-ball format," Kishore said. "It would be a great opportunity to learn from him. I'm confident and ready more than ever."Kishore's comeback has been bolstered by his selection in the Duleep Trophy. He has also represented India in three T20Is at the Asian Games.

Ishan Kishan, the wicket-keeper batter, is making a strong comeback to red-ball cricket with impressive performances in the Buchi Babu Invitation Cricket Tournament. Having been included in the India C squad for the Duleep Trophy, Kishan is determined to regain his place in the Indian team.In the match against Madhya Pradesh, Kishan showcased his exceptional wicket-keeping skills, taking three well-timed catches. His final catch, a stunning diving effort to dismiss Ramveer Gurjar, was the highlight of the day. Kishan's other two catches, off the bowling of Chanchal Rathore and Aditya Singh, demonstrated his presence of mind and quick reflexes.Kishan's return to form is a welcome sign for the Indian selectors, who have been monitoring his progress closely. After a disappointing IPL season with Mumbai Indians, Kishan was left out of the BCCI's central contract list. However, his inclusion in the Duleep Trophy squad indicates that he is still in contention for a national call-up.The Duleep Trophy, a prestigious domestic tournament, will provide Kishan with an ideal platform to showcase his skills and prove his worth to the selectors. If he continues to perform at a high level, he could earn a recall to the Indian team for the upcoming series against Australia.Kishan's journey back to the Indian setup has been a challenging one. However, his determination and resilience have been evident throughout. With his impressive performances in the Buchi Babu Invitation Cricket Tournament, Kishan has taken a significant step towards achieving his goal of representing India once again.

Rishabh Pant, India's star wicketkeeper-batter, is set to make his long-awaited return to red-ball cricket in the upcoming Duleep Trophy, which marks the commencement of India's 2024-25 domestic season on September 5. This will be Pant's first first-class appearance since his horrific car accident in December 2022.Pant's inclusion in the Duleep Trophy squad is a significant development, as it signals his recovery from the injuries sustained in the accident. He has been undergoing rehabilitation and training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and is now deemed fit to return to competitive cricket.However, Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, will not be part of any of the four Duleep Trophy squads. Shami is nearing full fitness and has begun bowling at full tilt, but he is targeting a comeback during the two-Test series against Bangladesh from September 19. He will continue his training under the NCA's supervision in Bengaluru.The Duleep Trophy squads also feature the return of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, who had lost their central contracts for not prioritizing domestic cricket last season. Other top players included in the squads are KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, and Kuldeep Yadav.Notably, Test captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah have been given an extended break ahead of India's home season. Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, who has been sidelined with a quadriceps tendon injury since January 2024, is also set to make a comeback in the Duleep Trophy.The selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, has rewarded domestic form, as evidenced by the inclusion of Mumbai all-rounder Musheer Khan. The 19-year-old had a breakout year, playing a key role in India's Under-19 World Cup squad and Mumbai's Ranji Trophy triumph.All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been included subject to fitness, as he is recovering from a sports hernia surgery in June.The Duleep Trophy 2024-25 squads are as follows:Team A: Shubman Gill (capt), Mayank Agarwal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel (wk), KL Rahul, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Tanush Kotian, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan, Vidwath Kaverappa, Kumar Kushagra, Shaswat Rawat.Team B: Abhimanyu Easwaran (capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Musheer Khan, Nitish Kumar Reddy (subject to fitness), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd Siraj, Yash Dayal, Mukesh Kumar, Rahul Chahar, R Sai Kishore, Mohit Awasthi, N Jagadeesan (wk)Team C: Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Abishek Porel (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, B Indrajith, Hrithik Shokeen, Manav Suthar, Umran Malik, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Anshul Khamboj, Himanshu Chauhan, Mayank Markande, Aryan Juyal (wk), Sandeep WarrierTeam D: Shreyas Iyer (capt), Atharva Taide, Yash Dubey, Devdutt Padikkal, Ishan Kishan (wk), Ricky Bhui, Saransh Jain, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Aditya Thakare, Harshit Rana, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Sengupta, KS Bharat (wk), Saurabh Kumar

Rishabh Pant, the enigmatic Indian wicketkeeper-batter, has emerged from a harrowing accident with renewed determination and a profound appreciation for life. After a horrific car crash in December 2022, Pant's career and even his life hung in the balance. However, with unwavering resilience and a remarkable recovery, he has returned to the cricket field, proving that he is not just a talented player but also a true warrior.In the first T20I against Sri Lanka, Pant's performance was a testament to his indomitable spirit. Despite a sluggish start, he exploded into action, smashing a six and a four off consecutive deliveries. His innings of 49 off 33 balls showcased his trademark aggression and the ability to turn a match on its head.Pant's journey has been marked by both brilliance and adversity. In his six-year Test career, he has produced some of the most unforgettable knocks on foreign soil. His centuries in Australia, England, and South Africa have cemented his status as a world-class batter. However, his limited-overs career has been less consistent.But now, it seems that Pant has found his calling as a top-four batter in T20s. His ability to dominate the powerplay and anchor the innings makes him a valuable asset in any team. In November, he will return to Australia, where he has already established himself as a cult hero.Beyond his cricketing prowess, Pant is known for his infectious personality and quick wit. His banter with opponents and his ability to laugh at himself have endeared him to fans around the world. Despite the challenges he has faced, Pant remains the cuddly boy next door, with a maturity and cricketing acumen that belie his age.Rishabh Pant is a true inspiration, a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity. His return to cricket is not just a victory for him but also a reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope and determination can prevail.

The T20 World Cup 2024 was a watershed moment for the Indian cricket team, marking the end of an 11-year ICC title drought. Despite facing adversity in the final against South Africa, India's resilience and determination shone through.After Axar Patel's costly 15th over, South Africa needed just 30 runs off 30 balls. Heinrich Klaasen's onslaught seemed to put the game beyond India's reach. However, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya turned the tide with economical overs, restricting South Africa to just 10 runs in the 16th, 17th, and 18th overs.Arshdeep Singh's four-run 19th over set the stage for a thrilling finish. With 16 runs required off the last over, Pandya stepped up to bowl. Suryakumar Yadav's spectacular catch of David Miller in the final over sealed India's victory.Axar Patel, who had been under fire after his expensive over, revealed the mindset that fueled India's comeback. "For the first five seconds, I thought it was over," he admitted. "But Rohit bhai came to me and said, 'Match khatam nahi hua hai.' We were determined to fight until the end."Since the tournament, Axar has become an indispensable member of the Indian team, proving his worth as an all-format player. His performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 cemented his reputation as a match-winner.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, has finally returned to the nets after a prolonged absence due to an ankle injury. The injury, sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup, sidelined Shami for the IPL 2024 and the T20 World Cup.Shami's absence was a significant blow to India's cricketing aspirations. He missed the South Africa tour and the five-match Test series against England, where his experience and skill would have been invaluable.Despite playing through pain during the World Cup, Shami emerged as the tournament's highest wicket-taker with 24 wickets in seven matches at an astonishing average of 10.70. His performances were a testament to his resilience and determination.Shami's recovery has been a slow and arduous process. He underwent surgery earlier this year, but his rehabilitation took longer than expected. However, he is now cautiously returning to bowling, albeit at reduced intensity.In a recent social media post, Shami shared a video of himself bowling in the nets. The video shows him delivering a few deliveries with caution, indicating that he is taking a measured approach to his comeback.Shami's return is a major boost for India ahead of the home series against Bangladesh. India will host Bangladesh for two Tests and three T20 Internationals in September-October. Shami is likely to make his comeback in this series, where he will be eager to prove his fitness and regain his place in the Indian team.

Ishan Kishan, the prodigious wicket-keeper batter, has endured a challenging period in recent months, losing his place in the Indian team across all formats and the BCCI central contract. In an exclusive interview with the Indian Express, Kishan candidly shared his experiences and aspirations.Kishan's absence from the Indian team stemmed from a combination of factors, including travel fatigue and mental exhaustion. He sought a break from the tour of South Africa in December 2023, a decision that was met with mixed reactions."I don't want to be sad about anything. I'll keep giving my best," Kishan said, reflecting on the setbacks. He acknowledged the emotional toll of the past few months, questioning why such adversity had befallen him."It was depressing. I don't want to say that everything was fine. It was not easy for me at all. You go through a lot. Questions like what happened, why me, with me. All these things happened when I was performing," he confided.Kishan emphasized that his break was primarily due to travel fatigue, but he also recognized that his mental well-being was compromised. He lamented that his decision was not fully understood by many."I was scoring runs and then I found myself on the bench. These things do happen in a team sport. But I experienced travel fatigue. It meant there was something wrong, I was not feeling well or right and so I decided to take a break. However, sadly, barring my family and few close people no one understood that," he said.Kishan believes that his break was necessary and that he is now ready to make a comeback. He understands the importance of performing in domestic cricket to earn a recall to the national team."I took a break and I think it was normal. There is a rule that if you want to make a comeback you must perform in domestic cricket. It is as simple as that. Now, it was very different for me to play domestic cricket as it was not making any sense. I was not in a frame of mind to play and that is why I took a break from international cricket. It doesn't make sense that you take a break from international cricket and then you go and play domestic matches. Then I could have continued playing for India," he asserted.Kishan remains determined to regain his place in the Indian team and is confident that he can overcome the challenges he has faced. His resilience and unwavering belief in his abilities will undoubtedly serve him well in his pursuit of excellence.

Rishabh Pant's remarkable journey from a career-threatening accident to triumphing in the T20 World Cup has been an inspiration to millions. Upon the Indian team's return from their victorious campaign, Pant shared his gratitude with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support during his recovery.Pant recalled the Prime Minister's call to his mother after the accident, which provided him with immense mental solace. "When my mother told me you called and said 'there won't be any problem,' that made me relax mentally," Pant expressed to Modi.During his recovery, Pant faced doubts about his ability to return to the field, particularly as a wicketkeeper. However, he remained determined to prove himself. "I used to think when I make a return to the field I will try to improve, not for anyone's validation, but only to prove to myself that I can play international cricket and help India win," he said.Pant's comeback in the 2024 IPL season was a testament to his resilience. He led the Delhi Capitals with distinction, scoring 446 runs in 13 games. His impressive performance earned him a spot in the World Cup squad, where he contributed 171 runs in eight matches.Behind the stumps, Pant displayed his exceptional skills, providing solid support to the bowlers. His unwavering determination and unwavering belief in his abilities have been a source of inspiration for the entire nation.Pant's story is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, the human spirit can triumph. His journey from a near-fatal accident to the pinnacle of cricket is a testament to his resilience, determination, and unwavering support from his loved ones and the nation.