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Delhi Capitals’ captain and Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is poised to make his comeback in this season’s IPL. Pant has been sidelined since his accident in December 2022. Currently undergoing rehabilitation at Bengaluru’s National Cricket Academy (NCA), Pant played his first match in a warm-up game in Alur.
Pant participated in a 20-over practice session at the Karnataka State Cricket Association Facility in Alur. His progress was monitored by doctors at the NCA. Reports suggest that he experienced slight discomfort while batting, but it was nothing of concern. This was Pant’s first match in 15 months, following his extensive rehabilitation schedule, which also included treatment arranged by the BCCI in London.
Delhi’s head coach, Ricky Ponting, addressed Pant’s situation earlier this month, stating that if Pant isn’t ready to play every single game, they will have to manage him accordingly.
“We’ll just keep our fingers crossed and hope that he can be out there and play,” the head coach said. “Even if it’s not all the games, if we can manage him through 10 of the 14 games or whatever that might be, then whatever games you can get out of him will be a bonus.”
The 26-year-old may play solely as a batsman for the Capitals this season to avoid adding to his workload behind the stumps. As evidenced by the franchise’s actions in the auction, they invested heavily in wicketkeepers, notably uncapped Indian Kumar Kushagra for 7.20 crores. They also added overseas keeping options in the form of Tristan Stubbs and Shai Hope.
Pant’s return to the field is eagerly awaited by fans, as both the country and franchise have struggled to replace the fearless skill set he brought to the team. The Indian team has had difficulty finding a keeper-batsman capable of taking on opposition bowlers, having tried players like Ishan Kishan, KS Bharat, and KL Rahul, who have been inconsistent at times. As for the Delhi Capitals, they not only missed Pant’s presence as a reliable, destructive middle-order batsman, but also for his captaincy. Even though David Warner led the side in his absence, it was a forgettable campaign, finishing in 9th place with only 5 wins out of 14 games.
This year’s IPL campaign is scheduled to begin on March 22nd, and Pant aims to regain his full fitness before then.
