NEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant's career was in jeopardy after his life-threatening accident in December 2022, but the wicketkeeper left no stone unturned in his recovery - his return to the team is nothing short of a miracle.
Former India wicketkeeper Vijay Dahiya, now the assistant coach of Lucknow Super Giants - the team led by Pant - reflected on his captaincy in the IPL and his remarkable comeback from a life-threatening accident in an exclusive conversation with Sports Yaari.
"When you look at a leader, you look at their character. Pant's character is outstanding. The way he has come back, not just to cricket but to life, is extraordinary. I've seen a big change in his outlook after the accident - his perspective on life and cricket is very different now, and it reflects in his game," Dahiya told Sports Yaari.
Pant was appointed captain of LSG for IPL 2025, succeeding KL Rahul after being bought for a record Rs 27 crore at the mega auction in January, making him the most expensive player in IPL history ever. However, his debut season as skipper proved challenging, with LSG finishing seventh on the points table with six wins and eight losses.
The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter will not be a part of the upcoming Asia Cup after sustaining a right-foot metatarsal fracture, the result of a Chris Woakes delivery that struck him while he attempted a reverse sweep in the fourth Test against England last month.
Looking ahead to the Asia Cup, Dahiya was confident about India's prospects. "Skill-wise and mentally, this Indian team is far superior to most others in world cricket, especially in white-ball formats. In T20s, maybe one or two teams can challenge them. Against Pakistan, India clearly has the edge. The competition has been thrilling in the past editions, and I expect the same this year," he concluded.
