Rishabh Pant Set for Comeback in IPL 2024, Eyes T20 World Cup Return

Mumbai:  The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah has provided updates on the rehabilitation progress of key players such as Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Mohammed Shami, who have been sidelined due to injuries. The focal point of the announcement revolves around the dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who is set to make a comeback to competitive cricket in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

Pant, who suffered a right knee injury in late 2022, underwent reconstruction surgery to repair the ligament. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah expressed optimism about Pant’s return, while talking to PTI, “He is batting well, he is keeping well. We will declare him fit very soon. If he can play the T20 World Cup for us, that will be a big thing for us. He is a big asset for us. If he can keep, he can play the World Cup. Let’s see how he does in the IPL.”

The Indian wicketkeeper’s return to the national side for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies hinges on his performance in the IPL and his ability to keep wickets effectively.

In other updates, Shah provided information on the recovery timelines for fast bowler Mohammed Shami and batter KL Rahul. Shami, who underwent ankle surgery, is set to miss the entire IPL 2024 season and is likely to make a comeback during the home series against Bangladesh in September. Unfortunately, this rules him out of contention for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

On the other hand, KL Rahul, who suffered a quadriceps injury during the Test series against England, is undergoing rehabilitation. Shah confirmed, “KL Rahul needed an injection; he has started rehab and is at the NCA (National Cricket Academy).” The dynamic batsman is expected to feature in the IPL 2024 season.

While Pant’s imminent return brings a sense of relief to Indian cricket enthusiasts, the absence of Shami in the upcoming T20 World Cup poses a challenge for the team’s bowling unit. Fans will eagerly await the performance of these key players in the IPL to assess their readiness for the upcoming international fixtures.