Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant recently made headlines with his subtle yet powerful response to former Pakistan pacer Wahab Riaz. The context? Riaz had blamed the India management for sidelining Pant during the 2022 T20 World Cup. The fiery exchange took place on the popular TV news show ‘Aap Ki Adalat,’ just ahead of the high-stakes India-Pakistan clash in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
During the 2022 T20 World Cup, Wahab Riaz had publicly questioned why Pant was left out of India’s playing XI. Riaz asserted that if Pant were part of Pakistan’s team, he would undoubtedly have played. The comments sparked controversy and fueled the rivalry between the two cricketing nations.
Rajat Sharma, India TV’s Editor-in-chief, posed the question to Rishabh Pant: “Pakistan players keep their eyes on you. Wahab Riaz said that Indians made you sit out in the last T20 World Cup. If you had been part of Pakistan’s team, would you have surely played?”
Pant’s response was succinct but loaded with pride: “When you play for India, you feel proud to represent them. You don’t even think about representing any other country.”
Rishabh Pant’s Form and Comeback
Since his comeback in IPL 2024, Rishabh Pant has been in red-hot form. The left-hander’s explosive batting has made him a vital asset for the Indian team. With impressive performances in both domestic and international matches, Pant has silenced his critics and reaffirmed his position as India’s premier wicketkeeper-batter.
In the 2024 T20 World Cup opener against Ireland, Pant played a crucial role, scoring an unbeaten 36 off 26 balls. His return to international cricket after a year-long hiatus due to a car accident in December 2022 was marked by a quickfire 53* off 32 against Bangladesh in a warm-up game.
As India and Pakistan gear up for their high-voltage clash in New York, all eyes will be on Rishabh Pant. His response to Wahab Riaz’s comments has added an extra layer of intensity to the already fierce rivalry. Cricket fans worldwide eagerly await the showdown, where Pant’s bat will do the talking.
