Rishabh Pant made a memorable and emotional return to Test cricket in India’s victory over Bangladesh at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Reflecting on his comeback after a long recovery from a serious road accident in 2022, Pant shared his thoughts in a heartfelt interview, calling his return “definitely special.”
He expressed his deep connection with the format, saying, “Coming back to Test cricket where I belong the most, being on the field gives me pleasure more than anything else.” This match marked his first in the format since the injury, and Pant highlighted his emotional journey, aiming to contribute in every game.
Pant’s crucial partnership with Shubman Gill helped India recover from a tricky 30-3 situation in the second innings. He praised his bond with Gill, stating, “To do it with a guy who I have a great relationship with is special.” Pant scored 82* while Gill notched up an unbeaten 119, which helped India declare their innings at 287/4, setting Bangladesh a daunting target of 515 runs.
India’s spin duo, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, dominated Bangladesh in their second innings. Ashwin claimed six wickets, while Jadeja took three, guiding India to a massive 280-run victory.
Bangladesh struggled despite a valiant effort from Najmul Hossain Shanto, who top-scored with 82 runs. With this win, India took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, highlighting Pant’s remarkable return and the team’s overall dominance.
Pant’s presence, combined with India’s formidable spin attack and strong batting, reaffirms his invaluable role in the Indian Test setup as he continues his journey back to top form.
