Rishabh Pant: The Guy Who Questioned God's Plan
When Rishabh Pant's car crash on December 30, 2022, made headlines, the world of cricket stood still. For a moment, everything he had built through sheer talent, grit, and perseverance seemed to hang by a thread. The injuries were severe—ankle, knee, and back—raising questions that no one wanted to ask but couldn't avoid: Would he ever walk again? Would we ever see him back on the cricket field?
Pant’s story is one of immense struggle, faith, and an unyielding spirit that refused to accept defeat, even when life presented him with what seemed like an impossible challenge. It’s a tale of resilience, of a man who, against all odds, questioned bhagwan ki yojna (God's plan) and came back stronger than ever before.
The Crash That Changed Everything
On a chilly winter morning in December, the world received devastating news. Rishabh Pant, the young Indian cricketer known for his audacious batting and fearless spirit, was involved in a horrific car accident while driving home to Roorkee. His car skidded off the road, flipped multiple times, and eventually caught fire. By sheer fate—or perhaps a miracle—Pant was pulled from the wreckage by a passerby. But his condition was grim.
The conversation wasn't about cricket anymore in the early hours after the crash. It was about survival. Kya Pant phir kabhi chal payega? Kya who phir kabhi khelega? (Will Pant walk again? Will he ever play again?) These were the haunting questions that echoed through every cricket fan’s mind. His ankle, knee, and back bore the brunt of the crash, and his recovery was uncertain.
A Long Road to Recovery
As Rishabh lay in his hospital bed, surrounded by doctors and well-wishers, the future seemed bleak. For a man whose life had revolved around the bat and ball, even the simplest joys—like walking—seemed like distant dreams. The recovery was going to be long, painful, and filled with doubts.
But Pant wasn’t just any cricketer. He was a man built on sheer determination, resilience, and a belief that destiny is what you make of it. His rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore was grueling. There were no guarantees—no clear timeline. Cricket, jo kabhi uska jeevan tha, ab door lagne laga tha. (Cricket, which had once been his life, now seemed far away.)
Yet, amidst the uncertainty, one thing remained constant—Pant’s unwavering belief in himself. Day by day, session by session, he worked to regain his strength. And while his body healed, his mind also underwent a transformation.
The First Steps Back
Day 450 since the accident: Pant made his first tentative runs in the nets.
Day 457: He scored his first fifty during a practice match at the NCA.
Day 523: Rishabh Pant was recalled to the Indian Test squad.
Day 538: He lifted the ICC Test Championship mace, becoming a world champion.
And then, on Day 634: Pant equalled MS Dhoni’s record for the most Test hundreds by an Indian wicketkeeper-batsman. It was a moment of poetic justice. The boy who had questioned God’s plan now stood tall as a symbol of hope, resilience, and unshakeable faith. You can bet on cricket matches here
The Emotional Hundred in Chennai
Pant’s return to Test cricket wasn’t just another comeback—it was a kathin safar (arduous journey) punctuated by doubts, setbacks, and a steely resolve to prove everyone wrong. And it was in the heat of Chennai that this journey found its most emotional expression.
Walking into bat during the 20th over of India's second innings, Pant found himself in a precarious situation. India’s 227-run lead suddenly looked vulnerable after the top order collapsed, leaving the team in dire need of a stabilizer. This time, Pant wasn’t the flamboyant, aggressive stroke-player we were used to seeing. Instead, he was mature, composed, and patient—qualities that hadn’t always been associated with his cricket.
In that moment, Pant wasn’t just fighting for runs; he was fighting for redemption. Each run felt like a step closer to his former self. And when he finally reached his sixth Test hundred, it wasn’t just a cricketing milestone—it was a testament to his journey, a journey that started on that fateful day in December 2022.
Equalling the Guru- MS Dhoni
When Pant reached his century with a calm two off Shakib Al Hasan, the roar of the Chepauk crowd was deafening. But this wasn’t just another hundred. This one carried with it the weight of history. With this knock, Pant equalled the legendary MS Dhoni’s record for the most Test hundreds by an Indian wicketkeeper-batsman.
For Pant, it wasn’t just a personal triumph—it was an emotional re-initiation into the sport that had defined his life. The journey from a hospital bed to equalling Dhoni’s record was nothing short of miraculous. But in typical Pant fashion, the celebration was subdued. His eyes closed, his head tilted upwards—it was as if he was offering a silent prayer, thanking the universe for allowing him to make this improbable comeback.
A Battle Beyond the Physical
Pant’s battle wasn’t just against the physical limitations imposed by his injuries; it was also a mansik yudh (mental battle). Recovery from such a traumatic event isn’t just about regaining strength—it’s about overcoming fear, doubt, and the haunting memories of the crash.
Even as he slowly returned to cricket, the mental scars were harder to heal. But Pant’s positive mindset, combined with the support of his fans and teammates, helped him push through the dark times. His rehabilitation wasn’t just about cricket; it was about finding joy in life’s small moments—something he had perhaps taken for granted before the crash.
Prodigal Son of Test Cricket
Rishabh Pant’s return to Test cricket wasn’t just a comeback—it was a rebirth. Before the crash, he had been known for his fearless stroke play and audacious shot selection. He was the guy who reverse-scooped James Anderson and danced down the pitch to spinners without a second thought. But post-comeback, Pant showed a different side—a more measured, mature cricketer who knew when to attack and when to bide his time.
This adaptability, this evolution in his game, is what sets Pant apart. He can play the patient knock, like the 105-ball fifty at The Oval in 2021, but he’s just as likely to produce an innings of breathtaking aggression, like his unbeaten 89 at the Gabba that sealed one of India’s most famous Test wins.
Why Pant is an X-Factor in Test Cricket
It’s easy to see why Sourav Ganguly called Pant an “all-time great” in the making. His ability to turn a match on its head, his audacity to take on the best bowlers in the world, and his knack for performing in the most pressure-packed situations make him India’s biggest X-factor in Test cricket.
Pant doesn’t just play cricket; he redefines it. While traditionalists talk about the importance of patience and caution in Test cricket, Pant goes against the grain. He brings flair, unpredictability, and excitement to the longest format of the game. His reverse-scoops, his chirps behind the stumps, and his bold shot-making have breathed new life into a format often considered slow and tedious.
As India eyes yet another Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory and a potential World Test Championship, Pant’s presence adds an invaluable edge to the team. His ability to turn a game on its head, his unpredictability, and his fearless approach make him one of the most exciting cricketers in the world.
But beyond the numbers, the hundreds, and the match-winning knocks, Rishabh Pant’s story is about something much deeper—it’s about questioning destiny, about refusing to accept defeat, and about fighting your way back from the edge. In Pant, we don’t just see a cricketer; we see a warrior, a man who questioned God’s plan and emerged victorious.
In a world where sportsmen are often seen as invincible, Rishabh Pant’s story reminds us that they are human too—prone to setbacks, doubts, and moments of vulnerability. But it also shows us the incredible power of resilience, of belief, and of sheer willpower.
Pant may have questioned God’s plan, but in doing so, he wrote his own. And it’s a plan that’s far from over. The boy from Roorkee, who once dreamed of playing for India, is now one of the most formidable cricketers in the world. And this is just the beginning of his second chapter.
Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned from Rishabh Pant’s journey, it’s that no setback, no matter how severe, can keep him down for long.
Written by: Rajat Chauhan