New Delhi: The anticipation surrounding Rishabh Pant’s return to professional cricket reaches its pinnacle as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) declares him 100 percent fit for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The dynamic wicketkeeper-batter is set to make a triumphant comeback for the Delhi Capitals in their IPL campaign opener against Punjab Kings on March 23 in Mohali.
“After undergoing an extensive 14-month rehab and recovery process, following a life-threatening road mishap on December 30th, 2022, @RishabhPant17 has now been declared fit as a wicket-keeper batter for the upcoming #TATA @IPL 2024,” announced the BCCI on social media.
Rishabh Pant faced a harrowing car crash in December 2022, forcing him to miss a significant part of the cricketing calendar. The young cricketer underwent surgery in the first half of 2023 and has been steadily progressing towards a remarkable comeback. Throughout last year, Pant displayed rapid improvement, participating in occasional net sessions, building the suspense around his return.
Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting and director Sourav Ganguly consistently provided positive updates about Pant’s recovery, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Co-owner of the Capitals, Parth Jindal, hinted at Pant playing as a batter, leaving room for decisions based on his body’s response during the IPL.
While Ponting expressed some concerns about Pant’s role as a pure batter due to lingering doubts over his wicketkeeping abilities, the BCCI has now officially confirmed Pant’s readiness for the dual responsibility. However, considering it will be Pant’s first top-flight appearance in 15 months, the Capitals are likely to manage his workload cautiously throughout the season. Pant is expected to bring not only his cricketing prowess but also his leadership skills as he returns as the captain for the Delhi Capitals. The cricketing community eagerly awaits Pant’s comeback, expecting nothing short of a stellar performance in the IPL 2024.