“He is a winner…” Ricky Ponting praises Rishabh Pant’s remarkable comeback after injury

Ricky Ponting praised match winner Rishabh Pant highly.

Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting praised Indian wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant for his remarkable comeback after injury. Pant suffered serious injuries in a life-threatening accident in December 2022, which kept him away from cricket for more than a year.

After surviving a life-threatening accident, Pant underwent intensive rehabilitation in consultation with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical team. Following this, Pant was declared fit to participate in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Delhi Capitals (DC).

After playing the entire 2024 IPL season for DC, Pant made his comeback in India and was included in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup squad that won the title.

The 26-year-old then made his ODI comeback for the Indian cricket team earlier this year during the Sri Lanka white-ball tour. Recently, the Indian selection committee named Pant in the Test squad for the first match of the two-match series against Bangladesh, which begins on September 19 in Chennai.

Didn't think Rishabh Pant would play in IPL 2024: Ricky Ponting

Former Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting praised Pant for his remarkable comeback after the life-threatening accident in 2022. The legendary cricketer further expressed that he did not believe that Pant would play in the IPL 2024 after his serious injuries.

“It's a remarkable comeback. Even seeing his leg now and listening to the stories he tells about his car accident, not just the mental scars that come with it but also the physical side and the rehab he went through, I didn't think he would be playing in the IPL (2024) last year,” Ricky Ponting told Sky Sports:

Ponting revealed that Pant had assured him of a comeback just before the 2024 IPL season. The former DC head coach said the management had considered using Pant as an impact player, but he played every game in the 2024 edition. Ponting also described Pant as an infectious character within a team.

“But 12 months ago he said, 'Don't worry about me, I guarantee you I'm fit for the IPL.' We thought he could bat and we might have to use him as an impact player, but he has played every game, been one of our top run-scorers, batted at No. 3 in the T20 World Cup and is part of a World Cup-winning team and is now in the Test squad,” Ponting added.

“It's a remarkable comeback and we've all seen him play and heard him on the stump mic. He's an infectious character to have in the group. He loves cricket, he's a winner, that's who he is.” said Ponting.

For more updates follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, ÞjórsárdalurInstagram, YouTube; download the Khel Now Android app or iOS app and join our community on WhatsApp and Telegram.