Many years ago, a young Delhi batsman had overpowered grief to turn out for his state team in a match soon after the death of his father. A few years before that another batsman, one considered the greatest the game has seen, represented India in a World Cup match after paying homage to his father. These two men go by the name Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar.
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On Saturday, 19-year-old Rishabh Pant — considered a talent as special as the names mentioned above — displayed strength of character that would have made both those men proud.
Rishabh’s father, who had been ill for a long time, passed away in Roorkee on Tuesday and the young Delhi Daredevils wicketkeeper-batsman rushed home to attend to his father’s funeral.
Hours after performing the last rites of his deceased father, Rishabh Pant played an innings that would go down as one of the most memorable in the history of IPL. Showing character and professionalism amidst the maelstrom of thoughts that may have crossed his mind, Pant single-handedly took Delhi Daredevils close to the finish line. But with his teammates deserting him one after another, he could not win the match for his side.
Really feel for young Rishabh Pant. Losing your father is a terrible blow and cricket is only a weak balm. But at least it is a balm
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 8, 2017
In his hour of darkness, a bereaved Pant overpowered grief and showed dedication towards his team, and almost wrote the perfect script with his 36-ball 57. But the ending was not quite the perfect one as he was dismissed in the first ball of the last over in a match Delhi eventually lost by 15 runs.
Talking about Rishabh, Delhi captain Zaheer Khan said, “He (Pant) played well, and just needed support at the other end. He showed a lot of courage after going through a personal trauma, we are all with him.”
On the eve of their IPL-10 opener, Delhi Daredevils coach Paddy Upton had confirmed that Pant will join the team the day before the match.
“The whole team will rally around Rishabh and give him support. He is a young man. It is very, very difficult, particularly when this happens in the family,” the South African said.
The effort from the youngster came in for a lot of praise.
Kedar Jadhav Won Man Of The Match, Rishab Pant Won 1.2 Billion Hearts. 🙏🏾#RCBvDD #KXIPvRPS #DDvRCB #RPSvKXIP pic.twitter.com/frcn9q8j6m
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) April 8, 2017
Take a bow Rishabh Pant scores half century in 33 balls who joined the team yesterday after performing last rites of his deceased father..
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) April 8, 2017
He’s 20,been performing the last rites for his father & he’s come to play a special innings for #DD. Rishabh Pant is going to be some player
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 8, 2017
All of 19 years old… and going through so much… face tells a story. Rishabh Pant… RESPECT! #IPL
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) April 8, 2017
My heart goes out to the valiant #RishabhPant ! Such a braveheart ! God bless you and sorry for your loss.
— Archana Vijaya (@archanavijaya) April 8, 2017
Well done Rishabh Pant . You are a role model for many. @RishabPant777 . Your father somewhere in heaven will be so proud of you hero.
— Aasif Sheikh (@iaasifsheikh) April 8, 2017
What a difficult moment for young Rishabh Pant. Lost his father only a couple of days, back in the field asap. Good luck!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 8, 2017
can’t even imagine how tough this is for young rishabh pant. has just cremated his father and flown in to bangalore #RCBvDD
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) April 8, 2017
Feel bad for Pant. He did everything right, only for the guy at the other end to play badly. This loss (looks inevitable now) is on Mishra
— Chinmay Bhogle (@chinmaybhogle) April 8, 2017
Rishabh Pant. You don’t need to remember the name. You’ll be hearing it constantly over the next decade. #RCBvDD #IPL
— Dileep Premachandran (@SpiceBoxofEarth) April 8, 2017
Performs last rites of father. Flies to Blore. Hits 1st ball for 6. Scores 50. 19-yr-old. He is Rishabh Pant https://t.co/2HgVE6ZBgx pic.twitter.com/178uCk0JRm
— jigar mehta (@jigsactin) April 8, 2017
Regardless of how this game ends for DD, they ought to feel mighty proud of Rishabh Pant. Props to them for picking him last year #RCBvDD
— Arun Venugopal (@scarletrun) April 8, 2017
Keep your head held high, Rishabh. You made your father very proud!