New Delhi: Pakistan legend Wasim Akram called Rishabh Pant a ‘miracle child’ as he lauded the Indian wicket-keeper batter for his sensational comeback for the national team after his car accident in December 2022. Akram’s comments came after Pant slammed a brilliant knock of 109 runs in the recently concluded 1st Test between India and Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Pant notched up his sixth Test ton during India’s second innings of the Chennai Test to equal MS Dhoni’s record for most centuries by an Indian wicket-keeper batter in the longest format. The left-hander’s 109-run knock was laced with 13 fours and 4 sixes as he took the Bangladesh bowlers to the cleaners, proving why he remains undroppable for India in Tests.
It has been a remarkable comeback from Pant, who made his return to competitive cricket in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 earlier this year for the first time since the horrific car crash. Pant sustained serious injuries in the accident but managed to bounce back strongly with impressive performances in the IPL.
The left-hander was included in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad and went on to play his part in the Men in Blue’s memorable title triumph. Pant made his Test comeback for India in the Chennai Test against Bangladesh and stole the show with a swashbuckling ton. Akram said Pant’s comeback has been nothing short of miraculous as he praised his superhuman performances.
“Look at Pant’s performance, the miracle that he has performed by showing he is superhuman by returning from his tragedy. The way his accident happened, we were all worried in Pakistan, I was worried and tweeted about him. He came back and averaged 40 in the IPL, 446 runs at a strike rate of 155, he’s a miracle kid,” Akram was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
Rishabh Pant is special: Wasim Akram
Akram further hailed Pant as a special cricketer, highlighting his brilliant comeback for the Indian team post his accident. The Pakistan legend also praised the wicket-keeper batter’s aggressive approach in Test cricket which earned him success in Australia and England.
“Especially what he has been through in that horrific accident, coming back from that, how mentally strong must that boy be. The way he used to play in Test cricket, the way he performed in Australia with the century then. The way he batted against England, playing a reverse sweep against Anderson in Test cricket, even Cummins. He’s special,” added the former Pakistan pacer.
Pant will be looking to continue his fine form when India take on Bangladesh in the second and final Test match of the two-match series at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur starting Friday, September 27.
Pakistan legend Wasim Akram lavished praise on Rishabh Pant after the Indian wicket-keeper batter’s sensational comeback post his horrific car accident in December 2022. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
