Rishabh Pant Biography- Rishabh Rajendra Pant was born on October 4, 1997, in Roorkee, Uttarakhand, into a humble, middle-class family. His father, Rajendra Pant, was a schoolteacher, while his mother, Saroj Pant, is a homemaker. From a very young age, Pant displayed immense interest in cricket, dreaming of becoming a professional cricketer.
At the age of 12, Pant moved with his mother to Delhi so he could train at the Sonnet Cricket Academy under the legendary coach Tarak Sinha, who had produced several Indian cricketers. Life was not easy initially—Pant faced rejection and had to move to Rajasthan to play club cricket before returning to Delhi to pursue domestic cricket more seriously.
Pant idolized MS Dhoni and modeled both his explosive batting style and wicketkeeping skills after him. This combination of aggressive batting and fearless intent would later make him one of the most exciting young talents in Indian cricket.
Cricket Career
Domestic & Early Career
Pant made his first-class debut for Delhi in 2015 during the Ranji Trophy. His attacking stroke play and fearless mindset quickly drew attention. In 2016, he scored a blistering 308 runs in a Ranji Trophy match against Maharashtra, announcing himself as a future star.
Debut Matches
- First-Class Debut: 2015 (Delhi in Ranji Trophy)
- IPL Debut: 2016 (Delhi Daredevils, now Delhi Capitals)
- T20I Debut: February 1, 2017, vs England
- Test Debut: August 18, 2018, vs England
- ODI Debut: October 21, 2018, vs West Indies
Major Achievements & Records
- First Indian wicketkeeper to score Test centuries in both England and Australia.
- Youngest Indian wicketkeeper to score a Test century (vs England, 2018).
- Holds the record for the fastest century in IPL by an Indian wicketkeeper – 128 off 63 balls vs SRH in 2018.
- Played a *match-winning knock of 89 at Gabba (2021)**, leading India to a historic Test series win in Australia.
- Scored the most runs by an Indian wicketkeeper in a Test series during the 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Pant’s fearless batting has made him one of India’s best match-winners in Test cricket, especially overseas.
IPL Career
Pant’s IPL journey began in 2016 with the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). Over the years, he has become the face of the franchise:
- Highest IPL Score: 128* vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (2018).
- Captaincy: Took over as captain of Delhi Capitals in 2021, leading them to the playoffs in his very first season.
- Regarded as one of the most dangerous T20 batters in the league.
Captaincy Record
- Delhi Capitals: Captain (2021–present), leading DC to the playoffs in 2021.
- India: Served as stand-in captain in T20Is (2022) when senior players were unavailable.
Personal Life
Rishabh Pant is deeply connected to his family. His father, Rajendra Pant, passed away in 2017, which was a huge emotional setback for him. His mother, Saroj Pant, and sister, Sakshi Pant, remain his strongest pillars of support.
Pant has often been linked with Isha Negi, an entrepreneur and interior designer, though he keeps his personal life largely private.
Physical Stats:
- Height: 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
- Weight: ~75 kg (165 lbs)
- Eye Color: Dark Brown
- Hair Color: Black
Awards & Honors
- ICC Emerging Player of the Year (2018).
- BCCI’s Best Test Wicketkeeper-Batsman Award (2019, 2021).
- Named in ICC Test Team of the Year (2021, 2022).
- Arjuna Award (2023) for excellence in cricket.
2022 Car Accident & Recovery
On December 30, 2022, Pant survived a horrific car accident near Roorkee, Uttarakhand. He suffered multiple injuries, including ligament tears and fractures, requiring several surgeries. His recovery journey was long and difficult, but his resilience stood out.
In 2024, Pant made a remarkable comeback by returning to captain the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024, earning praise for his determination and fighting spirit.
Legacy & Influence
Rishabh Pant has already carved a niche for himself as one of India’s most fearless cricketers. Known for his explosive batting, match-winning temperament, and unpredictable aggression, he is widely considered the natural successor to MS Dhoni behind the stumps.
Pant’s innings at the Gabba (2021) will forever be etched in Indian cricketing history, symbolizing courage and self-belief. His journey from a small-town boy in Roorkee to becoming India’s star wicketkeeper-batsman is a story of resilience, hard work, and determination.
As he continues to grow, Pant is seen as not just a future mainstay of Indian cricket, but also a potential long-term captain.
