India’s wicketkeeper-batter said he had been trying for three years to find suitable land to relocate from Delhi but had been unable to secure anything “facilitating and big” to live in. File picture
| Photo Credit: PTI
Rishabh Pant publicly appealed to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday (August 8, 2026) for assistance in acquiring land in the State, saying he wishes to shift his base from Delhi and build his first house in his native Uttarakhand.
In two posts on X addressed to Mr. Dhami, the wicketkeeper-batter said he had been trying for three years to find suitable land to relocate from Delhi but had been unable to secure anything “facilitating and big” to live in. He said he also awaited land he claims he was promised while promoting the State in the past. The posts, written directly by Pant, were riddled with spelling errors.
“I have been trying to buy land to shift my base from Delhi to Uttrakhand and I couldn’t find anything facilitating and big to live here I love my Uttrakhand,” Pant wrote, adding that he wanted “to move back to my native place to help and built around Uttarakhand” and return to his “Pahadi people”.
In a reply to his first post, Pant said he would prefer to purchase the land directly from the Government at government rates rather than receive it as a gift, so that he could build “my first house” in his own State.
“A gift would be lovely for representation out states at the highest level internationally stages but if you allow me I wanna buy it from Government and on there rates,” he wrote, adding that he was unsure how to navigate the process.
Dhami responds
Responding on X in Hindi, Chief Minister Dhami called Pant “the pride of Uttarakhand” and said his performances had illuminated the name of “Devbhoomi” both nationally and internationally.
Mr. Dhami said Pant’s affection for his home State and his wish to return and contribute were commendable, and that instructions were being issued to concerned officials, who would soon contact Pant to extend all possible cooperation “in accordance with the rules”.
The 28-year-old Pant, who hails from Uttarakhand, currently represents Delhi in domestic cricket and remains a key member of India’s Test setup. He is presently part of the India A squad playing a three-day unofficial Test against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo, ahead of India’s two-Test series against Sri Lanka, beginning in Galle on August 15.
(With inputs from ANI)
Published – August 08, 2026 12:35 pm IST
