‘Forever Grateful’: Rishabh Pant’s powerful words after comeback strike chord with fans

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New Delhi: Rishabh Pant has opened up about his journey back to the cricket field after a long battle with injury, as he shares a deeply personal message that has gone viral with fans across the country praising him. In a new BCCI feature titled “Forever Grateful ft. Rishabh Pant”, the wicketkeeper-batter reflected on his mindset during recovery and the lessons that he learned while being away from the game.

Pant fractured his foot during the Manchester Test against England earlier this year and as he spoke about the mental challenges that come with a long layoff. “After an injury, it’s never easy to come back, but God has been kind to me,” he said in the video. “Every time I walk onto the field, I look up and thank God, my parents, my family and everyone who supported me. I focus on what I can control because luck is something you can’t.”

Pant’s honesty and calm tone have drawn praise online with fans calling his journey an example of resilience and perspective. For him, gratitude seems to be the driving force behind renewed energy and focus.

What he learnt through recovery

Pant admitted that staying mentally strong was the hardest part of his recovery. “There are so many things that can affect you, but if your mind is in the right place, you’ll find happiness,” he said. “When you’re injured, you just have to work hard, stay disciplined and enjoy what you’re doing. That’s when you truly grow.”

The 27-year-old has been sidelined after admitting a reverse sweep during the Manchester Test, an incident that resulted in a fracture and ruled him out of the remainder of the series. Despite the pain, he returned to bat when India needed him most, showcasing a glimpse of the same grit that has defined his career.

Return with India A

Pant’s return to cricket came in the unofficial Test series against South Africa A where he captained the side. He looked close to his best again, scoring a fluent 90 in the second innings of the first match and following it up with a solid 65 in the next. His performances not only lifted India A but also reassured fans that he’s finding rhythm just in time for the senior team’s upcoming Test series against South Africa.