New Delhi: India vice-captain Rishabh Pant has vowed to make India happy again after the tragic air crash in Ahmedabad sent shockwaves across the whole country last week. Pant, speaking to the media ahead of the opening Test against England in Leeds, which begins on June 20, Friday, said the players will keep the horrific tragedy in their mind and promised to make the country “happy” again by performing well on English soil.
Tragedy struck the Gujarat city on June 12 when a London-bound Air India flight crashed moments after its takeoff, killing 241 passengers and crew members in one of the darkest days in the country’s aviation history.
“What happened in the aircraft (crash), I think the whole India was disheartened but at the same time the only thing from our side…we are going to be sticking with them, how we can make India happy again,” Pant said in a press conference in Leeds on Wednesday.
Indian cricketers to give their all in England
The wicket-keeper batter said the team will give their all in the five-match series to put the smiles back on the faces of the Indians.
“Obviously, the emotion is going to be high because of what happened in the crash but at the same time we are going to put our best foot forward for the country, how we can make them happy and that’s an added responsibility always,” he added.
There is a notion that Indian cricketers are always expected to register victories, and Pant said that while winning every match is not possible, they will ensure to make the country proud with their effort, and the process is 200 per cent.
“You want to make India happy all the time but as a cricketer it’s not possible all the time but what I can promise from our side is we are going to put our best foot forward and we are going to give our 200 per cent and in that process we are going to make India a lot happier place,” he said.
Pant opens up tough comeback
Pant’s return to cricket following the horrific car accident that he suffered in late 2022 is nothing short of a miracle. The Delhi cricketer opened up on the tough process to make a comeback.
“Coming forward, the last two years have been tough coming back from the (car) accident but at the same time I want to be an individual who is learning each and every day.
“See for me after my accident just being on the ground and making people believe that I can come back and the kind of love they have shown me, it’s always going to be special for me,” he added.
Meanwhile, Pant also revealed that he will come to bat at No.5 after skipper Shubman Gill, who will take the No.4 spot, which is vacant after Virat Kohli’s retirement.
India will be eager to begin their World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle on a positive note in England, a country where they have not won a series since 2007.
IND vs ENG: India vice-captain Rishabh Pant has promised to make India happy again with stellar performances on English soil. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
