Rishabh Pant on returning to Test cricket with century: ‘Enjoyed batting out there and got a little emotional’

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant recalled an “emotional” moment of scoring century on his Test comeback in Chennai. After scoring 39 runs in the first innings of the first Test against Bangladesh, Pant scored a 124-ball century in the second innings. He was dismissed for 109 by Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

This was Pant’s first Test match since December 2022, when he had sustained multiple injuries during a horrific car accident. The 26 year-old underwent surgeries and a 14-month rehabilitation process before making his competitive comeback in the Indian Premier League (IPL) this year with Delhi Capitals (DC).

With his century on Saturday, Pant went
level with MS Dhoni for most Test centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper (Six tons). Although the Uttarakhand-born cricketer has characteristics of a T20 cricketer, Test cricket is truly where Pant belongs to.

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Rishabh Pant recalls emotional moment

“Definitely, it was emotional because coming back I wanted to score in each and every match, which I couldn’t do [in the first innings, where he was part of a recovery but made a mental error],” Pant told official broadcasters Sports18 after India defeated Bangladesh by 280 runs in the first Test.

“But coming back to Test cricket, where I belong most is great. I enjoyed batting out there and just got a little bit emotional. But at end of the day, just being on the field gives me more pleasure than doing anything else,” he added.

The North Zone cricketer relishes the experience of playing in Chennai. “A lot special because I love playing in Chennai, first of all,” he said.

“And secondly, after injury, I think I wanted to play all three formats and this was my first Test match after coming back. Just loving it every day,” he explained.

He may only have managed to score 39 in the first innings, but his 60-run stand with Shubman Gill was pivotal for India. India were 34/3 when Pant walked out to bat. Pant came out to bat ahead of KL Rahul in the batting lineup.

“I try to read the situation in my own way. And when you’re 30 for 3, I think you need to switch a partnership. And that’s what exactly me and Gill did out there. Especially, I feel like when you are chatting with someone who you have a great relationship outside the field, it really helps,” he recalled.

Rohit Sharma praises Rishabh Pant

Skipper Rohit Sharma hailed Pant’s comeback, acknowledging the tough times he has been through since the life-threatening accident. “He has been through some really tough times, and the way he has managed himself through those tough times was superb to watch,” said Rohit.

“He came back in the IPL then followed by the World Cup, a very successful World Cup, and then obviously this is the format he loves the most.

“For us it was never about what is he going to do with the bat. We always knew what he had with the bat and with the gloves as well. It was just about getting him back in the game and giving him that game time. Credit to him as well. He went on to play the Duleep Trophy and got ready for this Test match and had an impact straightaway in the game,” added the 37 year-old.

R Ashwin, who scored a century in the first innings and took a six-fer in the second innings, was adjudged Player of the Match. Bangladesh were set a target of 515 in the second innings but Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja shared nine wickets between them to dismiss the visitors for 234.

India will look to seal the series when the two teams lock horns in the second Test that starts in Kanpur from 27 September.