Rishabh Pant Crash Recovery Recalled as Kiran More Backs Comeback

Introduction: Rishabh Pant’s Hard Phase and the Faith of a Former Selector

The journey of a professional cricketer is rarely a straight line. For Indian superstar Rishabh Pant, the recent months have presented a challenging phase characterized by a dip in form and leadership setbacks. However, former Indian wicketkeeper and ex-India selector Kiran More has come forward with a powerful message of hope and support. Drawing on Pant’s incredible journey of survival and resilience after his near-fatal car crash, More believes this current dip in form is merely a minor speed bump in what will undoubtedly be a legendary career.

A Tough Run in IPL 2026 and the National Team Snub

Rishabh Pant’s recent statistics paint a picture of a player searching for his signature rhythm. During the IPL 2026 season, the explosive southpaw managed to score just 286 runs across 13 matches. Under his leadership, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) struggled to find consistency, failing to advance to the playoffs for two consecutive seasons. This dry run has had tangible consequences on the international stage. Pant has been sidelined from the Indian squad for the upcoming three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan. In his place, Ishan Kishan has been named as KL Rahul‘s second-in-command for the wicketkeeper-batter role. Additionally, Pant was recently replaced by KL Rahul as India’s Test vice-captain following a disappointing whitewash against South Africa under Pant’s captaincy.

Kiran More’s Emotional Support: “He is a Fighter”

Despite these setbacks, Kiran More remains absolutely undeterred in his faith in the young wicketkeeper-batter. Speaking with deep conviction, More emphasized that a player of Pant’s caliber cannot be written off so easily. “No, it’s nothing like that; I am not disappointed at all. Pant is in the team, and I am very happy. He is a fighter, a player with immense courage, has a big heart, and has performed exceptionally well, winning Test matches single-handedly,” More remarked. Having worked closely with Pant over the years, More understands the psychological grit that defines him. He noted that every cricketer, regardless of how great they are, goes through a lean patch. The key is how they respond to it, and in Pant’s case, the response is bound to be spectacular.

Comparing Current Slump to the Near-Fatal Car Crash

To put Pant’s current struggles into perspective, More pointed to the most harrowing chapter of the player’s life: his near-fatal car crash in December 2022. The accident left Pant with severe injuries that threatened not just his cricketing career, but his life. His subsequent recovery and return to top-flight cricket was nothing short of miraculous. “Every cricketer goes through a phase like this; you pass through such times. So I think there will definitely be a great comeback, and a strong comeback. When his life was saved, and he returned to the team, he performed so well, so this current phase is nothing compared to that,” More explained. Indeed, if Pant could conquer physical trauma and return to win matches for India, a temporary dip in batting form is a challenge he is well-equipped to overcome.

Praising the Next Generation: The Rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

While discussing the future of Indian cricket, More also expressed immense excitement for another talented left-hander: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The young starlet has captured the imagination of cricket enthusiasts worldwide with his aggressive batting style and remarkable resilience against high-quality bowling. During this season, Sooryavanshi amassed an incredible 579 runs in just 13 matches, boasting an astonishing strike rate of 236.22. More described him as a truly unique prodigy. “No, look, he is a special player, and God has created and sent him, so I think it’s a great thing that he sent him to India. You will keep watching him, as he will score a lot of runs in the future,” More said. More advised the cricketing fraternity to protect the youngster from unnecessary pressure. He urged fans and selectors to let Sooryavanshi play freely without overwhelming expectations. “Even if he doesn’t, he is still a special player for me. But just let him play cricket freely and don’t put too much pressure on him because he’s performing so well at such an early age. I think it’s all part of that ‘wow factor,’ and I want him to play Test matches, one-day matches, and T20Is whenever he makes his debut for India.”

Unearthing Grassroots Talent: The Beyond Reach Premier League

Beyond analyzing international stars, Kiran More is also actively involved in developing the sport at the grassroots level. Under his supervision, a new initiative called the Beyond Reach Premier League has been launched. This league specifically targets tennis-ball cricketers, offering them a platform to showcase their skills and transition into professional setups. “This is a special league, and we want to do something different. This was our first trial, and a lot of boys showed up for this, and we got to see some very interesting talent,” More shared. The significance of tennis-ball cricket in India cannot be overstated. It has historically served as a fertile breeding ground for raw talent. A prime example is Prince Yadav, who began his journey playing tennis-ball cricket before rising through the ranks to become a potent force in white-ball cricket, eventually earning a call-up to the Indian national team. The Beyond Reach Premier League hopes to replicate such success stories, providing opportunities to undiscovered talents across the nation.

Conclusion

While Rishabh Pant navigates a challenging chapter in his career, the unwavering support from respected figures like Kiran More reminds us of the wicketkeeper’s legendary resilience. Having overcome life-threatening adversity once before, Pant has the heart of a champion needed to reclaim his peak form. Combined with the emergence of young sensations like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and grassroots platforms like the Beyond Reach Premier League, the future of Indian cricket remains incredibly bright and full of promise.