Star Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is rumored to make his return to competitive cricket after nearly 15 months, captaining the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the IPL 2024 season. As per Cricbuzz, Pant has exhibited significant recovery from a severe car accident in December 2022 and participated in a practice match in Alur.
According to the report, Pant is displaying excellent agility, batting, and running as proficiently as he did before the accident during the practice match. Nevertheless, sources informed the mentioned organization that Rishabh Pant will feature as a designated batter for DC, with another specialist wicketkeeper in their XI.
While Pant is presently at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), DC authorities express confidence in obtaining clearance for the star batsman to participate in IPL 2024.
Ricky Ponting comments on Rishabh Pant’s participation in IPL 2024
A few weeks back, Ricky Ponting, the head coach of Delhi Capitals, was also introduced as the head coach for the MLC franchise Washington Freedom. Addressing the reporters, Ponting conveyed his enthusiasm about the prospect of having Rishabh Pant available for the entirety of the IPL 2024 season.
He was quoted by ESPNCricinfo as follows:
“Rishabh is very confident that he’s going to be right to play. You would have seen all the social-media stuff, he’s up and about and running well.”
“I’ll guarantee if I asked him now he’ll say, ‘I’m playing every game, I’m keeping every game and I’m batting at No.4.’ That’s just what he’s like, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed. He’s such a dynamic player. He’s obviously our captain. We missed him incredibly last year.”
Ponting had made it clear that in case Rishabh Pant is not available for DC, David Warner would step in as the captain in Pant’s absence. In the IPL 2023 season, DC finished in the ninth position with only five wins, and Pant’s absence was notably felt by the team.
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