“The injury has done more good to Pant than harm” – MSK Prasad on the impact of the wicketkeeper’s life-changing accident

Former Indian chief selector MSK Prasad believes Rishabh Pant’s horrific car accident has helped him become more strong mentally. Pant suffered multiple injuries but made an impressive comeback after more than a year.

The left-hander has been performing consistently since his comeback and he was able to tick the right boxes in IPL 2024 and T20 World Cup. Pant returned with scores of 20 and 99 in the opening Test match against New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru after 109 runs in the Chennai Test against Bangladesh.

However, Pant was hit on the knee while keeping in the first innings and Dhruv Jurel took the gloves in his place. Thus, his participation is in doubt for the Test match at Pune.

“After the injury, he has become more responsible. He had a year to sit back and introspect. God gave him a second life, and he has realised that, and now that realisation is reflecting in his game and life. The way he was talking to Sarfaraz, guiding and encouraging him to play lofted shots. He was rotating the strike with him, giving continuous pep talks, shouting at him, and guiding him in the Bengaluru Test,” MSK Prasad said in an interview with the Times of India.

“The recovery period has really taught Pant a lot. At some stage in someone’s career, there is always a turning point. The injury has done more good to Pant than harm,” he added

Prasad added that Pant has become more responsible after suffering a setback in his career.

“When I personally spoke to Pant, he said he has become a bit philosophical. He discussed his life post-injury and what he learned from the period he spent bedridden after that horrific accident. He has become philosophical. He takes more responsibility now, and he is more caring towards life. Such changes have come in Pant. He looks more mature now,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pant has been dismissed in the 90s on seven occasions whereas he has scored six centuries in Test cricket. Prasad said Pant is not someone who is bothered about personal milestones.

“Why are we calling it the nervous 90s? Do you think it is nervous 90s? He might be getting out, but I don’t think it is nervous 90s. If someone is nervous, he will not get out in the 90s so many times. He is not someone who is bothered about hundreds or anything. Pant is a player who doesn’t play for stats. If there was any nervousness in his batting, he wouldn’t have converted all his 90s into 100s,” MSK Prasad opined in the same interaction.

India will take on New Zealand in the second Test at Pune from Thursday onwards.