Star Indian cricketer, aged 27, nominated for 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards

New Delhi: Rishabh Pant’s remarkable comeback to cricket following a life-threatening accident has earned him a nomination for the prestigious Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award. His inspiring journey, characterized by resilience and unwavering determination, has solidified his position as a symbol of hope and perseverance in the world of sports. The upcoming 25th edition of the Laureus World Sports Awards will be held in Madrid, Spain on April 21, where Pant will proudly represent India and the sport of cricket on an international platform.

The Laureus Awards, determined by votes from the world’s sports media, recognize the greatest athletic achievements of the past year. This year’s ceremony will not only honor the finest sporting performances of 2024 but will also reflect on the most memorable moments from the past quarter-century.

Pant’s Inspiring Journey to Recovery

Pant’s journey back to cricket reads like the script of an inspiring sports film. A beloved national hero, his career was nearly cut short by a catastrophic accident. The road to recovery was long and grueling, but his triumphant return to the Indian Test team was met with immense celebration from cricket fans worldwide. His story began with the horrific car crash on the Delhi-Dehradun highway in December 2020, where he was pulled from his burning vehicle just in time. The injuries he sustained were severe, and doctors feared he might lose his leg. However, after 629 days of relentless rehabilitation, Pant returned to Test cricket with a match-winning century against Bangladesh, equaling MS Dhoni’s record for the most Test hundreds by an Indian wicketkeeper.

Pant’s Gratitude and Determination

Reflecting on his nomination, Pant expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue his cricketing career. He credited his unwavering positivity and self-belief as key factors in his recovery, stating that he always remained focused on returning to the pitch as a stronger version of himself. His comeback was not just about returning to normal life but about completing the full circle by representing India once again. The year 2024 was particularly special for him as he not only made his Test comeback but also played a role in India’s victorious ICC T20 World Cup campaign.

Support from Cricketing Greats

Pant’s inspiring return has earned admiration from cricketing greats, including Laureus Ambassador and former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who himself overcame adversity after battling cancer. Yuvraj recalled meeting Pant in March 2023 and being struck by his relentless optimism. Despite facing a long and uncertain road to recovery, Pant maintained his characteristic energy and humor. Yuvraj emphasized that Pant’s story serves as a powerful example for all athletes, demonstrating the importance of maintaining a positive approach during setbacks.

Pant’s Fellow Nominees for Comeback of the Year

Pant’s nomination places him alongside other remarkable athletes who have made incredible comebacks. Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade overcame repeated ACL injuries to win gold in Paris, while Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus defended her Olympic 400m freestyle title just months after surgery to remove a tumor. American swimmer Caeleb Dressel returned from a break due to mental health struggles to claim two relay golds in Paris, and Swiss ski racer Lara Gut-Behrami won the overall World Cup title after nearly a decade. Spanish MotoGP star Marc Márquez also made a remarkable return, winning three Grand Prix races following a career-threatening arm injury.

Other Prestigious Categories at the Laureus Awards

Beyond Pant’s category, the Laureus World Sports Awards will honor some of the most dominant athletes in various disciplines. The Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award features an elite list of nominees, including tennis star Carlos Alcaraz, Olympic swimming sensation Léon Marchand, pole vault world record-breaker Mondo Duplantis, Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar, and Formula One’s reigning champion Max Verstappen.

On the women’s side, the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award sees gymnastics legend Simone Biles nominated for her record-breaking performances in Paris. Footballer Aitana Bonmatí is also in contention after winning the Ballon d’Or and leading Barcelona to a treble-winning season. Other nominees include Kenyan middle-distance queen Faith Kipyegon, Dutch distance runner Sifan Hassan, American sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, and tennis champion Aryna Sabalenka, who claimed the Australian and US Open titles.

The Battle for Laureus Team of the Year

The Laureus World Team of the Year Award features powerhouses such as Real Madrid, FC Barcelona’s women’s team, the Boston Celtics, and Spain’s national men’s football team, which secured a record fourth European Championship title. McLaren’s Formula One team and the USA men’s basketball team, fresh off their fifth straight Olympic gold, round out the list.

Recognizing Breakthrough and Inspirational Achievements

Other categories highlight groundbreaking performances, including the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award, where San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama is nominated alongside St. Lucian sprinter Julien Alfred, Botswana’s first-ever Olympic gold medalist Letsile Tebogo, and Spanish teenage football sensation Lamine Yamal.

The Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award celebrates Paralympic excellence, with nominees such as Swiss wheelchair racer Catherine Debrunner and American archer Matt Stutzman, who became the first-ever armless para-archer to win Olympic gold. The Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award recognizes incredible feats in extreme sports, with nominees including Olympic skateboard champions Yuto Horigome and Arisa Trew, snowboarder Chloe Kim, and British mountain biker Tom Pidcock.

Sport for Social Change: The Laureus Sport for Good Award

In addition to honoring individual excellence, the Laureus Sport for Good Award highlights organizations using sport to drive social change. This year’s nominees include Kick4life, which supports at-risk children in Lesotho through football, and Figure Skating Harlem, which empowers young girls in New York through ice skating. Other initiatives, such as Kind Surf in Spain, Liberi Nantes in Italy, and UK-based Street League, demonstrate the transformative power of sport in communities worldwide.

Rishabh Pant’s Legacy of Resilience

As the world eagerly awaits the results, Rishabh Pant’s nomination stands as a testament to his unbreakable spirit. Whether he takes home the award or not, his story will continue to inspire millions, proving that perseverance and self-belief can conquer even the most daunting challenges.