Rishabh Pant's childhood coach regards comeback hundred 'invaluable'

The team India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant marked a sensational comeback to Test cricket with a brilliant century against Bangladesh in the first fixture at Chennai. The left-hand batter's knock of 109 in India's second innings put the hosts in a commanding position.

Following a horrific car accident and an intense rehabilitation process, Pant's return to Test cricket was eagerly awaited. His childhood coach, Devender Sharma, had advised him to play with his head down, emphasizing the importance of respecting good deliveries.

Pant's century came at a crucial juncture, helping India set a daunting target of 515 for Bangladesh, lacing his innings, with 13 fours and 4 sixes. Sharma, who has mentored Pant since his pre-teen years at the Sonnet Club, emphasized the value of this performance

"I am very happy for Rishabh. He could have got a hundred in the first innings also and I was a bit sad that he didn't get that. But today he was flawless. This hundred is an important innings for him as it's his first international ton since the comeback," Devendra, said as quoted by Telegraph online.

Also Read: IND vs BAN: Rohit Sharma lauds Rishabh Pant for remarkable Test comeback

This knock couldn't have come at a more opportune time: Devender Sharma

The century also marked a significant milestone in the southpaw's career, equalling MS Dhoni's record of six Test hundreds for an Indian wicketkeeper-batter, reaching the feat in far fewer matches. Pant was mentally ready to play in his favorite format despite the limited preparation time for red-ball cricket.

"After the accident and the kind of rehabilitation that he had to go through, this knock will be right up there. Test cricket isn't easy on the body after what Rishabh has had to go through. But all of us have now seen that his mental toughness is in a different league," Devender said.

His coach was specifically delighted by his performance and mentioned that this comeback innings was much more satisfying to watch than his famous Gabba innings back in 2021.

"The series-winning knock at the Gabba will forever be special for everyone but if as a coach I am asked about this knock, it is invaluable and couldn't have come at a more opportune time," he concluded.