 "Rishabh Pant is currently travelling with India's CT 2025 squad. Image: AP")
Indian cricket star Rishabh Pant has been nominated for the prestigious Laureus Sports Awards in the World Comeback of the Year category, marking a historic moment for Indian cricket. Pant becomes only the second Indian cricketer in history to be nominated for a Laureus Award, following in the footsteps of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
Pant made remarkable comeback after horrific accident
Pant’s nomination comes after a miraculous return to the sport following a life-threatening car accident in December 2022. The wicketkeeper-batter was sidelined for over a year as he underwent multiple surgeries and a rigorous rehabilitation process. After nearly two years away from competitive cricket, he made a sensational comeback in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Delhi Capitals.
He went on to play a pivotal role in India’s triumphant T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, helping the team lift the coveted trophy after 17 years. The winners of the Laureus Sports Awards will be revealed on 21 April 2025. If Pant wins, he will make history as the first cricketer to claim the World Comeback of the Year award.
Pant is joined on the World Comeback of the Year shortlist by Rebeca Andrade (Gymnastics, Brazil), Lara Gut-Behrami (Ski Racing, Switzerland), Ariarne Titmus (Swimming, Australia), Caeleb Dressel (Swimming, USA), Marc Márquez (MotoGP, Spain).
Sachin Tendulkar remains the only Indian to have won a Laureus Award, receiving the Sporting Moment Award in 2020 for India’s historic 2011 Cricket World Cup triumph.
As far as Pant is concerned, he is currently travelling with the India’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad. He will next be seen in action in IPL 2025, leading Lucknow Super Giants as their new captain and recruit.