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Rishabh Pant, who played a pivotal role in India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign in the USA and the Caribbean, is currently taking a break. During the tournament, he showcased his prowess with the bat, amassing 171 runs, and behind the stumps, taking 13 catches.
After recovering from a car accident, Pant returned to action in IPL 2024, impressing both with his batting skills and wicketkeeping abilities. His standout performances earned him a spot alongside Sanju Samson as one of the two designated keeper-batters in the squad. Interestingly, while Pant featured prominently in all matches, Samson remained on the bench initially, only to later play in the T20I series as the primary wicketkeeper while Pant enjoyed some well-deserved rest.
Recently, a video of Rishabh Pant surfaced online, where he was seen pulling a prank on Khaleel Ahmed by playfully tossing him into a pool, with Axar Patel also making an appearance. The video, seemingly filmed during their downtime at the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean, captured the trio’s lighthearted moment as they headed towards the beach for some leisurely fun.
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Khaleel Ahmed found himself unexpectedly plunged into the pool by Rishabh Pant, causing him to momentarily lose balance and nearly drop his phone in the process. Emerging from the water soaked through, Khaleel was promptly greeted by Pant’s infectious laughter and a friendly pat on the back. This playful camaraderie is a hallmark of their bond, well-known to fans, especially since they share the field together for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL.
Following a brief hiatus from international duties, Pant is anticipated to be named in India’s squad for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka. With Rohit Sharma stepping away from T20I cricket, Pant is among the frontrunners to potentially take over the captaincy in the format, alongside contenders like Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav.
Given Virat Kohli’s retirement from T20Is, Pant’s role as a top-order batsman becomes crucial, having effectively filled the number three position during the T20 World Cup, contributing significantly with the bat and demonstrating secure wicketkeeping skills throughout the tournament. The new management is likely to consider him for leadership responsibilities as well.
Looking ahead, Pant is expected to feature prominently as India’s specialist keeper-batsman against Sri Lanka, with speculation also surrounding the selection of players like Sanju Samson or Jitesh Sharma.
Reflecting on India’s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign, Pant, like his teammates, cherished the emotional journey, expressing gratitude to the Mumbai crowd during the celebratory roadshow on July 4th for their unwavering support.
“Mazaa aa gaya (enjoyed it). Amazing feeling. Kya janta hai yaar (amazing fans),” Pant could be heard saying in the video where he switched between panning the camera on the crowd, his teammates, and himself.
