Rishabh Pant couldn’t have asked for a better return to international cricket after a horrific car accident in December 2022 put serious doubts over whether he could be back at his best to play for India again. But not only did Pant make a remarkable recovery but also went on to become a T20 World Cup winner on his return to national colors.

Pant marked his comeback to professional cricket with the Indian Premier League, which concluded just before the T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies. He then went on contribute 171 runs in India’s eight-match unbeaten run to winning the T20 World Cup trophy and also took 13 catches besides doing one stumping.

Understandably then, the 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman can’t let the T20 World Cup winners’ medal go out of his sight. “This medal hits you differently,” wrote Pant in a social media post with pictures of himself with the medal.

Pant shared a similar post on his Instagram account, receiving hilarious replies from his T20 World Cup squad teammates, Axar Patel and Mohammed Siraj. “Bhai same mere pass bhi hai (I have the same medal, brother),” replied Axar. “@akshar.patel bhai mere pass bhi hai same (I also have the same),” added Siraj.

India defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final at the Kensgington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, on June 29. After putting up 176 for 7 on the board, India restricted South Africa to 169 for 8 in a thrilling finish to the title clash. The team is expected to return home on the morning of July 4.