Team India’s mainstay across all formats, Rishabh Pant, has decided to contribute 10% of all his commercial earnings towards the Rishabh Pant Foundation moving forward. The star wicket-keeper batter envisions playing a strategic role in furthering cricketing and non-cricketing causes through this endeavour. Pant, who is gearing up to don an important role for the Men in Blue in the forthcoming Champions Trophy, considers this project close to his heart and will enumerate upon the finer details of the initiative in the coming couple of months.
“Everything I am, everything I have is because of the beautiful sport of cricket and all that I have learnt from life. I am grateful to be in the position that I am and off late, I have thought through deeply about giving back to the sport and the society in large. Ab isse better time kya ho sakta hai? Going forward, I am dedicating 10% of all my commercial earnings towards the Rishabh Pant Foundation. Main bahut excited hu and I can’t wait to get started and share more about this plan with all of you,” Rishabh Pant said.
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“I have always admired Rishabh’s commitment towards staying rooted despite the superlative successes he has scaled over the years. His emergence to stardom and impeccable comeback symbolises strength. Beyond his incredible on-field excellence, Rishabh has always thoroughly acknowledged the role that his attitude has made him the athlete he is today. I am truly touched by his gesture of giving 10% of his commercial earnings to the Rishabh Pant Foundation, and I truly believe that it will have a lasting and tangible impact on the lives we manage to influence through this decision,” said Anant Arora, who co-manages Rishabh with Indranil Das Blah.
Blah added, “Rishabh has always been a fan favourite because of the connect he has with people across generations and his relatability amongst fans at large. He has constantly strived to bring smiles, both on and off-the-pitch. I applaud his dedication towards reciprocating the warmth that he has received from the masses, in a constructive manner. Knowing him, I am sure he will continue to strive towards causes that matter and we are eager to see the lasting impact of the work he carries out through this enterprising decision.”
Rishabh, 27, debuted for India in 2017 has seamlessly risen the ranks to become an exceptional asset for the team in both white and red ball cricket. He has played for the country in 150 international matches across ODIs, T20Is, and Tests, and was an integral part of the team that brought home the T20 World Cup last year, ending India’s 11-year-long wait for an International Cricket Council (ICC) trophy. However, his significance has been particularly felt in Test matches, recording centuries in hostile conditions of Australia, England, and South Africa, which have been unprecedented feats for an Indian wicket-keeper. Rishabh’s efforts have been recognised vividly by the broader cricketing fraternity, resulting in him becoming the most expensive player ever in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the Lucknow Super Giant shelled out Rs 27 crore to secure his services in the recent mega auction, also designating him as the captain of the franchise. He has been collectively touted as a potential captaincy candidate, having already led India in T20Is and the Delhi Capitals in the IPL too.
With his cricketing credibility firmly established, Rishabh has now taken a genuine step to bring about positive changes by harnessing his sporting potential. While the world keeps a close eye out staying glued to his exploits with the bat and the gloves, Rishabh will continue to optimise them to effect constructive transformations beyond the field too.