Indian cricket star Rishabh Pant, the swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter and captain of Delhi Capitals, appears poised for a triumphant return to the pitch after a long hiatus. Recovering from a car accident earlier this year, he recently posted a workout picture hinting at his unwavering dedication to reclaiming his spot in the game. This determination comes amidst a shocking revelation of him being duped of a staggering INR 1.63 crore by a former under-19 player.

Just days before the news of his impending comeback, the cricket fraternity was rocked by the disclosure of Pant’s financial misfortune. A 25-year-old ex-cricketer, Mrinank Singh, exploited Pant’s foray into a luxury goods business, orchestrating a web of deceit. Pant’s lawyer, Eklavya Dwivedi, in an interview, unveiled the scheme. Rishabh Pant, in an attempt to secure high-end items at attractive prices, entrusted Singh with procurement.

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However, Singh vanished with the entrusted funds, leaving Pant with nothing but a legal notice demanding the owed sum. Adding insult to injury, Singh issued a dud cheque as “repayment,” further compounding Pant’s woes. The saga went downhill as Singh racked up a Rs 5.53 lakh bill at the Taj Hotel, promising sponsorship from Adidas to settle the tab.

Rishabh Pant’s insta status pic.twitter.com/26ibelisXs

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Unsurprisingly, these promises turned out to be empty air, prompting Pant to file a formal complaint. Singh’s charade finally unraveled at Delhi airport on Monday as he attempted to flee to Hong Kong. In a desperate attempt to evade capture, he impersonated a senior Karnataka police officer, Alok Kumar, seeking assistance from immigration officials.

This bizarre ploy backfired spectacularly, with immigration authorities promptly handing him over to Delhi Police, finally putting an end to his elaborate deception. While the financial fraud has undoubtedly been a setback, it seems far from dampening Pant’s spirits.

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His focus remains firmly fixed on reclaiming his position as a cricketing powerhouse. With the upcoming IPL season on the horizon, fans eagerly await his return to the field, his willow once again weaving magic on the crease. As for Singh, justice awaits, serving as a stark reminder of the consequences of duplicity and deception.