Rishabh Pant: India's Comeback Wicketkeeper-Batter
Rishabh Pant is India's fearless left-handed wicketkeeper-batter — famous for match-winning innings in Test cricket, a near-fatal 2022 car accident, and a miraculous comeback to lead India's Test wicketkeeping for years to come.
Rishabh Pant, born October 4, 1997, is India's first-choice Test wicketkeeper-batter and one of the most exciting cricketers in the world. A left-handed batter who plays with extraordinary aggression and unconventionality — sweeping fast bowlers, reverse-sweeping spinners, and regularly turning losing match situations into victories. In December 2022, he survived a near-fatal car accident that required lengthy rehabilitation; his return to cricket in early 2024 was one of sport's most celebrated comebacks.
The Match-Winning Innings
Pant's Test career is defined by a series of match-winning performances against top sides in their home conditions: 159 not out in Sydney (2021) against Australia — India's highest-ever chase in Australia; 97 in Johannesburg against South Africa — helping India chase 240 in their fourth innings; and 146 in Edgbaston against England in 2022, the innings that effectively turned Test cricket's conventional wisdom about left-handed wicketkeeper-batters upside down. His willingness to play match-winning shots when failure would lose the match is his defining quality.
The 2022 Car Accident and Comeback
On December 30, 2022, Pant was involved in a serious car accident on the Delhi-Haridwar highway — his car skidded on a wet road, hit a divider, and caught fire. He suffered ligament injuries, a cracked kneecap, and burns while attempting to escape. The injuries required multiple surgeries and 14+ months of rehabilitation. His return to competitive cricket in early 2024 — and subsequent return to form — was one of cricket's most emotional and celebrated stories.
IPL — Delhi Capitals
Pant captained Delhi Capitals from 2021 through IPL 2024 — the team that first gave him franchise exposure. His captaincy was instinctive and unconventional, mirroring his batting style. At the 2025 IPL mega-auction (November 2024), Pant was not retained by DC and became the most expensive player in IPL auction history — bought by Lucknow Super Giants for ₹27 crore. He has captained LSG from IPL 2025, bringing the same attacking leadership style to a new franchise.
Frequently asked questions
What is Rishabh Pant most famous for in Test cricket?
Rishabh Pant is most famous for his match-winning Test innings, particularly in Australia (2020-21 series): his 97 in Sydney helped save a Test, and his 89 not out at the Gabba helped India chase 328 to win the series — ending Australia's 32-year unbeaten record at the Gabba. He also scored 159* in Sydney (2021) and 146 at Edgbaston (2022). These innings, often scored when India were in difficult positions, cemented his reputation as a genuine match-winner.
What happened to Rishabh Pant in December 2022?
Rishabh Pant was involved in a near-fatal car accident on December 30, 2022, on the Delhi-Haridwar highway. His car hit a road divider and caught fire. He suffered ligament damage, a cracked kneecap, and burns. He required multiple surgeries and 14+ months of rehabilitation. His return to competitive cricket in early 2024 was one of cricket's most emotional comeback stories.
Which IPL team does Rishabh Pant play for?
Rishabh Pant plays for and captains Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL from 2025 onwards. He previously captained Delhi Capitals (2021–2024). At the November 2024 mega-auction, LSG bought him for a record ₹27 crore, making him the most expensive player in IPL auction history.