Rishabh Pant's 'heartening' comeback: Fielding coach T Dilip reveals method to madness

Rishabh Pant's 'heartening' comeback: Fielding coach T Dilip reveals method to madness

India's fielding coach T Dilip expressed delight over Rishabh Pant's incredible comeback to competitive cricket, 15 months after he suffered multiple injuries in a near-fatal road accident. Dilip said Pant's quick return to peak form as a wicketkeeper has been 'heartening' to see and shared a few behind-the-scenes details about the Delhi Capitals captain's preparation in the T20 World Cup 2024.Â

Rishabh Pant surprised quite a few by recovering from multiple injuries earlier than expected. After leading Delhi throughout IPL 2024, Pant earned his place in the Indian T20 World Cup squad as one of the two wicketkeepers along with Sanju Samson. After impressing in the warm-up game against Bangladesh with a 32-ball 53, Pant was picked ahead of Samson for the wicketkeeper's role in India's Group A games.Â

And Pant has repaid the faith shown in him by leading the run-scoring charts and being as effective as he has ever been with the gloves.Â

"The biggest thing is that Rishabh Pant has come back really well, especially on the batting front. We all know he is a very good batter. But one of the good things about him is the way he came back as a wicketkeeper. With the kind of injuries he had, to come back as a wicketkeeper and the way he has been moving laterally and putting in the dives, that's very heartening to see," T Dilip told the press in Florida on the eve of India's game against Canada.Â

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THE METHOD TO MADNESSÂ

Rishabh Pant is India's leading run-getter in T20 World Cup 2024 with 96 runs in three matches. On a pitch in New York that was a nightmare for batters, Pant used his wide range to hit different pockets of the field and keep the scoreboard moving. After a 26-ball 36 against Ireland, Pant hit 42 off 31 balls against Pakistan. Pant used the scoops and sweeps to great extent to help India post 119 in 20 overs -- a total that helped India seal a win over their arch-rivals.Â

"Coming to the way he has been batting, playing different shots. It's a strategy that something Rishabh always has. He tries everything in practice, everything that he could encounter in a game so that he has options during a match," Dilip said, shedding light on Pant's intense training sessions.Â

Pant has been batting at No. 3 for India in the T20 World Cup, offering India another explosive and left-handed option at the top.Â

FLORIDA OUTFIELD A CONCERN?

Meanwhile, T Dilip played down the chances of fielders and bowlers picking up injuries on sand-based outfield at Lauderhill in Florida. Notably, the game between USA and Ireland on Friday was delayed by over 2 hours due to wet outfield after heavy rain in the lead-up to the crunch game.Â

"We haven't discussed the injury part, but this is a sand-based outfield, it's soft. So diving is a bit difficult. But still, as a group, we try to keep the intent going. There is also an advantage when it's a soft outfield, the ball travels a bit slower. So it also gives an opportunity to the outfielders to attack the ball. We are conscious about it as a group," he said.Â

India were the first team to qualify for the Super 8s from Group A with three wins in as many matches. India will face Canada in a dead rubber on Saturday in Florida.Â

"We are treating every opposition the same way. Canada is also playing very good cricket. We are looking to try and improve our standard. Our aim is to focus on our standard and get better," he added.Â