Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is returning to the international arena after over 100 days of absence due to his right toe fracture. He will be featuring as the vice-captain in India's upcoming first Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata for the game starting Friday, November 14. The road to his recover was not easy, as he spent most of his time at the BCCI Centre of Excellence for the rehabilitation.

Pant said that things are always difficult when a player makes a comeback, especially after recovering from an injury. However, he expressed his gratitude to the closed ones and his supporters, while also keeping faith in God to have helped him get up and go at it once again. 

After an injury, it's never easy to come back. But God has always been kind. He has always blessed me. This time also, I'm very happy to be back. See, every time I take on the field, one thing I always try to be is grateful that God has been kind. That's why I always see up and thank God, my parents, my family and everyone who has supported me. And then I take on the field, Pant told bcci.tv.

One thing I always do is focus on controllables.

Luck is one thing which you can't control. So I try not to think on that. Because there are so many factors which we don't factor in when something is happening. But in actual sense, if you can keep your mind in, in a place where a lot of thing is not affecting you, and you're only focusing on the things which matters. You're going to find your happiness. You keep on doing things which makes you feel good, especially when you're injured.

The Haridwar-born also expressed that it is very important to be comfortable, defining it as an essential thing to keep working hard and staying disciplined to the process.

Just being in a zone where you feel comfortable about something. Obviously, you're going to work hard, be disciplined, be in a zone where you are ready to learn, but still enjoying that time, doing everything. Whatever you are doing, you need to enjoy that moment and give your hundred percent and find joy and happiness in that.

Pant had a largely successful tour to the United Kingdom, where he scored over 400 runs in the four games that he played in the five-match series. He will now be looking forward to carrying the form despite a prolonged break from the international arena. The Kolkata Test will also be his first home fixture in red-ball cricket as the vice-captain of the side.