Rishabh Pant Career

Rishabh Pant has been India's designated wicketkeeper-batter across formats (X)

Rishabh Pant is a name that has become familiar with audacity and brilliance in Indian cricket. Born on 4 October 1997, Pant is known for his swashbuckling style and fearless approach, which has helped him make a name for himself in all three formats of the game.

Whether it's pulling off jaw-dropping chases in Test matches or scoring quickfire runs in T20s, Pant’s career has been a remarkable journey that has kept cricket fans at the edge of their seats.

Rishabh Pant's Early Life

Young Rishabh Pant with Ashish Nehra (X)

Born in Roorkee, Uttarakhand, Rishabh Pant’s journey to the top wasn’t without its hurdles. His early days revolved around the hard grind of traveling to Delhi with his mother every weekend, where he trained under the watchful eye of Tarak Sinha at the Sonnet Cricket Academy.

Life wasn’t a bed of roses; Pant and his mother often stayed at a Gurdwara due to lack of proper accommodation, but this only served to fuel his burning desire to make it big.

Mentorship played a crucial role in Pant’s rise. Sinha instructed him to make radical changes in his batting technique, which eventually bore fruit.

His turning point came during an Under-19 match for Delhi against Assam, where Pant's second-innings knock of 150 laid the foundation for his successful cricket career.

At the Under-19 Cricket World Cup in 2016, he caught global attention with a blistering 18-ball fifty against Nepal—the fastest at that level.

Rishabh Pant's Early Career

Rishabh Pant Early career (X)

Pant made his first-class debut for Delhi in the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy and soon followed it up with his List A debut in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

The 2016–17 Ranji season saw him achieve stardom with a mammoth 308 against Maharashtra, making him the third-youngest Indian to score a triple century. He followed this with the fastest century in Ranji Trophy history, scoring 100 off just 48 balls vs Jharkhand.

His early domestic career was a stepping stone to becoming Delhi’s captain in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2017, a decision made to prepare him for leadership at the highest levels. His blistering knock of 100 off 32 balls in the Zonal T20 League cemented his reputation as one of India’s brightest prospects.

Rishabh Pant Test Career

Rishabh Pant Test career (X)

Pant’s Test career has been a litmus test of toughness and raw talent. Making his debut in 2018 against England, Pant introduced himself with a bang, becoming the first Indian to get off the mark in Test cricket with a six. He didn’t stop there; in his third Test, he became the second-youngest wicketkeeper to score a century in England.

His most iconic Test moment came during the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. With the Indian team facing mounting injuries and a series defeat looming, Pant played one of the most memorable innings in Indian Test history.

His counter-attacking 97 in Sydney ensured a draw, but it was his unbeaten 89 at the Gabba that sealed a historic win for India, and made him the toast of the cricketing world.

Pant's Test career, which has seen him score 2271 runs in 33 matches with five tons, has been decorated with several accolades, including the record for the fastest Indian wicketkeeper to 1,000 Test runs and taking the most catches by an Indian wicketkeeper in a single Test match.

Rishabh Pant ODI Career

Rishabh Pant ODI career (X)

Rishabh Pant made his ODI debut in 2018 and has since shown glimpses of brilliance. His maiden ODI century came during India’s 2022 tour of England, where he hammered an unbeaten 125. His powerful stroke play and ability to finish games have made him a reliable asset in the ODI setup.

While his ODI career hasn't been as glittering as his Test career, Pant has shown he's more than capable of turning a game on its head with his aggressive yet calculated batting. He became a vital cog in India’s middle order, especially in chasing down stiff totals.

Rishabh Pant T20I Career

Rishabh Pant T20I career (X)

Pant’s T20I journey began in 2017, making him the youngest player to debut for India in T20 Internationals at the time. Although his T20I career had its ups and downs, Pant displayed his potential with quick knocks and lightning-fast stumpings.

He was named captain for the T20I series against South Africa in 2022, becoming the second-youngest Indian captain in the format. The left-hander was also a part of the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad, where he played a crucial role with both and gloves.

Pant’s role in the Indian T20 team has often been compared to that of MS Dhoni, and while these comparisons can be a double-edged sword, Pant has shown glimpses of brilliance that signal a long and successful career ahead. His innovative shot-making and fearless approach are a perfect fit for the shortest format of the game.

Rishabh Pant IPL Career

Rishabh Pant IPL career (X)

Pant’s Indian Premier League career is one for the highlight reels. Bought by Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2016, Pant wasted no time in making an impact.

His 69-run knock against Gujarat Lions in his third IPL game set the stage for what would be a monumental IPL career. In the 2018 season, Pant lit up the tournament with an unbeaten 128 off 63 balls, the then-highest individual score by an Indian in IPL history.

Pant was appointed captain of Delhi Capitals in 2021 after Shreyas Iyer was ruled out due to injury. Though a car accident in December 2022 put a temporary halt to his IPL captaincy, Pant made a return in 2024, leading Delhi Capitals once again.

With 3284 runs in 111 matches at a strike rate of 148.9 in the IPL, Pant has shown that he's not just a player but a match-winner. His fearless approach and ability to lead from the front have made him one of the most exciting talents to watch.