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'He Had A Huge Smile When I Visited Him In Hospital': Dhawan On What Makes Pant Special

Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant - (Source: @Johns/X.com)Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant - (Source: @Johns/X.com)

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has heaped massive praise on in-form Rishabh Pant and also recalled the time when he visited the southpaw in hospital shortly after his fatal car crash on December 30, 2022.

Notably, Pant has made a remarkable return to cricket, as he was out of action for nearly 1.5 years after tearing his ligament in a car accident. Rishabh returned to the Indian side during T20 World Cup 2024 and helped India lift the title.

Dhawan Praises Pant's Mental Toughness

Further, he has been impressive in Test cricket as he smashed a century on his comeback match and nearly won a game for India single-handedly after smashing a fifty in the 3rd Test against the Kiwis at Wankhede Stadium.

Meanwhile, Dhawan hailed Pant and shed light on what makes the ex-DC captain captain. 

“Jab banda maut ke muh se bach ke aata hai, to uska dekhne ka nazaria hi badal jata hai (When a person returns after escaping the jaws of death, their perspective on life completely changes)," exclaimed Dhawan.

“I haven’t experienced anything like Rishabh’s accident myself, but his gratitude toward life has deepened…When I visited him (at the hospital), he was lying in bed with a huge smile on his face. That’s the spirit of Rishabh Pant. That’s why he’s back on the field, performing brilliantly. He’s mentally stronger now, and he appreciates life in a new way," he added.

Pant To Next Feature Against Australia

Pant would now be seen in action against Australia in the upcoming five-match Test series starting on November 22. It is worth mentioning that the Rohit Sharma-led side now require to win four of the five matches to qualify for the WTC finals. 

India have made things difficult for themselves after being humiliated by New Zealand and registering their first-ever whitewash in a three-match series at home.