India vice-captain in the Test team Rishabh Pant said that the cricketers will have the tragic plane crash of Air India in their darkest memories and the team will be striving to keep the country in good spirits by delivering a brilliant show in the upcoming Test series against England.
In one of the worst aviation disasters in the nation’s history, an Air India flight headed for London on June 12 crashed just after takeoff, killing 241 passengers and crew members.
“What happened in the aircraft (crash), I think the whole India was disheartened but at the same time the only thing from our side…we are going to be sticking with them, how we can make India happy again.”
Rishabh Pant
The wicketkeeper-batter confirmed that the team is dedicated to playing their best for the nation and acknowledged the intense emotions brought on by the collision.
“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.”
Rishabh Pant

He has stressed the fact that though the Indian cricket team is always supposed to win it is not always the case. But, Pant assured that the team will do everything to ensure that the country will be proud and happy.
“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.”
Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant also talked about his late 2022 vehicle accident and expressed gratitude for the love and support he received, which inspired him to work hard every day and return to the field.
“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. 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.”
Rishabh Pant