As the World Cup approaches, Rishabh Pant is coming up in the discussion more and more. Returning to the field with the current IPL after almost a year and a half, Pant became the man of the match yesterday against Gujarat Titans. 16 runs with the bat and two catches and two stumpings while standing behind the wicket. There was also brilliant captaincy.

After returning from injury, Pant’s activity behind the wicket is also taking him to the World Cup team. Two former English cricketers Kevin Pietersen and Stuart Broad also consider Pant ready for the World Cup.

Pant was in danger of losing his life in a car accident in December 2022. Even though he survived, at one point he thought that his leg would have to be amputated. However, overcoming all fears and uncertainty, Pant returned to the field of play. After spending the entire year 2023 outside the field, he returned to professional cricket with the team’s first match in IPL. He has scored 210 runs in 7 innings so far. He averaged 35 runs at around 157 strikerates. Fifty made two. Pietersen has pretty much assumed that the old pant is coming back.

In Star Sports yesterday, Pietersen said about Pant, “Pant’s activity will encourage him and the Indian team management as well.” If he gets enough opportunities to play, then he will be ready (for the World Cup).

Pant played an innings of 55 runs off 25 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders. One of his shots on the way to play that innings made Broad think Pant was ready, ‘against KKR and played a no-look flick over deep square leg. The moment he played that shot, I thought he should be in the World Cup team. And ready to play.

The T20 World Cup will begin on June 1 in the United States and the West Indies. Pant, however, is not thinking too far about his performance. After being the man of the match yesterday, he said, ‘I want to do better than before, I have only one thought before entering the field in every match. This idea has been there since the time of rehab. The process that we follow in every match, it feels good to get on the field.