In December 2022, when Rishabh Pant suffered a horrific car crash, things looked gloomy for Indian cricket. While the nation was glad that he survived the accident, not having the maverick cricketer for an extended period felt like a punch in the gut.
The then 25-year-old wicket-keeper batter was India’s X factor, who had played defining roles in two series wins that year — against Sri Lanka at home and Bangladesh away. He had also scored two first-rate hundreds — albeit in losing causes — against South Africa in Cape Town (Jan 2022) and against England in Birmingham (July).
Thirteen Tests and nearly 13 months since Pant last played for India, it finally feels like there is a capable understudy in Dhruv Jurel. The 23-year-old Uttar Pradesh wicket-keeper made his debut against England in Rajkot, and produced a Player-of-the-Match performance in Ranchi as India secured the series 3-1.
