The nation is still reeling from the devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad last week, an event that claimed the lives of 241 passengers and crew members. As India mourns this immense loss, the world of cricket offers a potential avenue for solace. Rishabh Pant, the newly appointed vice-captain of the Indian Test team, has expressed the team's determination to bring joy back to the country through their performance in the upcoming Test series against England.
The Air India flight AI-171, bound for London's Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, impacting a medical college hostel and resulting in a fiery scene of devastation. The crash has become one of the most gruesome tragedies in the country's aviation history. Authorities are still working to identify victims and provide support to grieving families. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, assisted by teams from the U.S. and U.K., are investigating the cause of the crash, with investigators having located both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder. A mayday call was sent by the flight captain seconds after the plane left the runway.
In the face of this national tragedy, Rishabh Pant addressed the media ahead of the first Test against England in Leeds, acknowledging the sadness and disappointment felt across India. "What happened in the aircraft (crash), I think the whole India was disheartened," Pant said. He emphasized the team's commitment to lifting the nation's spirits through their performance on the field. "The only thing from our side…we are going to be sticking with them, how we can make India happy again."
Pant recognized the added responsibility that comes with representing the nation during such a sensitive time. "Obviously, the emotion is going to be high because of what happened in the crash but at the same time, we are going to put our best foot forward for the country, how we can make them happy and that's an added responsibility always," he added. He understands that victories cannot be guaranteed, but he pledged the team's unwavering dedication and effort. "You want to make India happy all the time but as a cricketer it's not possible all the time but what I can promise from our side is we are going to put our best foot forward and we are going to give our 200% and in that process we are going to make India a lot happier place," he said.
Pant's own journey has been one of resilience and determination. After a horrific car accident in late 2022, his career was in doubt. He spoke about the challenges he faced during his recovery, "Coming forward, the last two years have been tough coming back from the (car) accident but at the same time I want to be an individual who is learning each and every day." Pant's return to the Indian team is a testament to his mental strength and the support he received. "See for me after my accident just being on the ground and making people believe that I can come back and the kind of love they have shown me, it's always going to be special for me," he added.
The Test series against England presents an opportunity for the Indian team to unite the nation and provide a sense of hope amidst the grief. With senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma having retired from Test cricket, Pant's role as vice-captain becomes even more crucial, especially with Shubman Gill stepping into the captaincy. Pant confirmed that he and Gill will likely bat at numbers 4 and 5. The team will be looking to Pant's experience and leadership to guide them through this challenging series.
While the pain of the Ahmedabad air crash will continue to be felt, the Indian cricket team, led by Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, aims to channel their emotions and dedication into their performance on the field. Their goal is to provide a sense of unity and happiness to a nation in mourning, reminding everyone of the power of sport to uplift and inspire.
