"Teary Eyed...": Ravi Shastri Gets Emotional As He Presents 'Best Fielder' Award To Rishabh Pant

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has revealed that the news of Rishabh Pant's life-threatening car accident in 2022 had left him in tears and it felt "even worse" when he saw the charismatic wicketkeeper in hospital at that time. Pant met with an accident at the Delhi-Dehradun highway on the night of December 30, 2022. His car caught fire but he made a lucky escape even though his injuries were quite severe.

After a year of intense recovery and rehab, he returned to professional cricket during the Indian Premier League this year and made his Team India return this month in the ongoing T20 World Cup in the Americas.

"I had tears in my eyes when I read about his accident. And when I saw him in hospital, it was even worse," Shastri said in a video posted by BCCI.

"And then for him to come back from there and be back in the A-zone playing one of the biggest games of all time -- India vs Pakistan -- is heartwarming," he added referring to India's six-run win on Sunday in which Pant made 42.

Ravi Shastri presented Best Fielder of the match award to Rishabh Pant
Also those words from Shaz https://t.co/octpAnURAq pic.twitter.com/Ed0tErXTZ6

The 26-year-old's 31-ball knock and his brilliant wicket-keeping played a crucial role in India's win.

Following the match, Shastri presented him with BCCI's Fielder of the Match recognition and lauded him for his innings and comeback.

"Batting.... everybody knew what you were capable of -- the X-factor you have. But, your wicket-keeping and the range of movement that got back so quickly after the operation is a tribute to how much you worked hard.

"And not just for yourself, it's an inspiration to millions across the globe that from adversity and jaws of death, you can snatch a win as