India is gearing up for an extensive Test season, starting with the first of two matches against Bangladesh on September 19 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This series will be followed by three home Tests against New Zealand and a five-Test tour of Australia.
With 10 consecutive red-ball fixtures on the horizon, there are numerous intriguing storylines to follow: Virat Kohli’s return after a break, the Indian pace attack’s adaptation without Mohammed Shami, and the reshaped middle-order featuring both new faces and returning veterans.
Among the many narratives, the spotlight is firmly on Rishabh Pant’s inclusion in the squad. After a horrific accident in December 2022, Pant made a comeback to professional cricket earlier this year, participating in the IPL and the T20 World Cup.
He officially returned to first-class cricket a few weeks ago in the Duleep Trophy, delivering an impressive performance that secured his spot back in the national team, despite undergoing three reconstructive knee surgeries. The 26-year-old last played for India in white-ball cricket against Bangladesh just before his accident, and he was visibly thrilled to be back in the squad.
Crowd huge cheer for Rishabh Pant back flip 🤣🤣🔥#RishabhPant
— Riseup Pant (@riseup_pant17) September 17, 2024
pic.twitter.com/4asVEy24Wn
The fans shared in the excitement as the Indian team practiced at Chepauk. During a football keep-up session, Pant’s attempt went awry, causing him to fall to the ground. Instead of accepting help, Pant swiftly bounced back with an athletic push against the floor, drawing cheers from Twitter and the onlookers.