Heartbroken Rishabh Pant reacts to Ahmedabad tragedy - 'The country is disheartened'

With the five-match Test series against England edging closer, team India vice-captain Rishabh Pant spoke to the media on Wednesday. The 27-year-old will act as skipper Shubman Gill's deputy in a heavily anticipated clash against England, starting June 20.

The first game, set to commence on June 20, will be played in Headingley, with games to follow across iconic English venues including Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and Kennington Oval.Speaking to the media, Pant set cricket aside as he shared his heartfelt thoughts on the tragic airplane crash in Ahmedabad, which occurred on June 12. The tragic accident led to deaths of all but one of the 242 passengers on board the flight.

At least eight local people, including four medical students, also lost their lives in the horrific accident.Reacting to the same, Pant sent a heartfelt message, urging the nation to overcome this tragedy by standing together. "The whole country is disheartened. What we can do is put our best foot forward & make the country happy," said the player to the media.

The wicketkeeper-batter also revealed crucial batting-order decision ahead of the first Test. Pant disclosed that skipper Shubman Gill will bat at No.4 in the series opener, taking over the crucial position vacated by Virat Kohli following his retirement from Test cricket.

The five-match series, now being played for the rebranded Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, kicks off a fresh chapter in India-England Test rivalry, with both teams making their way through crucial transitions.