T20 World Cup 2024: Rishabh Pant takes first catch on India return after 17 months

India wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant took his first catch on his return to international cricket after over 17 months on Wednesday, June 5 during India’s opening fixture against Ireland of the T20 World Cup 2024. Notably, it’s first first-ever international game after his last appearance for India in December 2022 against Bangladesh.

The 26-year-old quickly made his presence felt on his comeback as he took a skier to dismiss Ireland captain Paul Stirling in the third over of the innings. On the first ball of the over bowled by Arshdeep Singh, the Irish captain tried to go big on the leg side but only managed to get a leading edge which went high up in the air behind the wicket. As the ball went high in the sky, Pant positioned himself well underneath the ball and took a good catch to help India get the first success.

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Pant missed the entire 2023 after surviving a horrific car crash on December 30 2022 while going to his home town. The cricketer was evacuated from his burning vehicle with the help of some locals. Following the incident, Pant had to go through multiple surgeries for his injuries and was confined to a wheelchair.

The Haridwar-born cricketer had to undergo a rigorous rehabilitation programme at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru and finally became fit for the Indian Premier League 2024. During the season, the wicketkeeper batter was seen at his usual best thrashing the bowlers all over the ground.

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He finished as the highest run scorer for DC with 446 runs from 13 innings at an average of 40.54 and a strike rate of 155.40 while notching up three fifties. With the gloves, he took 11 catches and inflicted five stumpings.

Meanwhile, India won the toss against Ireland and elected to bowl first. The Indian team management decided to bench Yashasvi Jaiswal with star batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli set to open the innings. The bowlers vindicated captain Rohit’s decision of bowling first as they had Ireland reeling at 26/2 after six overs. Arshdeep Singh accounted for both wickets dismissing Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie in the same over.