Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant set to play in the IPL 2024

Rishabh Pant has been out of action since December 2022 following a car crash.

Rishabh Pant had a serious accident while traveling from Delhi to Roorkee last year, causing an injury that kept him out of action for the entire 2023. However, he has been making significant progress in his recovery and is now on track to regain full fitness.

As the Delhi Capitals gear up for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), in a great news for the franchise, Rishabh Pant is set to make a comeback to the cricket field, and the Delhi Capitals management has confirmed that he will lead the franchise in the IPL 2024.

Currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, Rishabh Pant is expected to regain fitness by the end of February. His participation in IPL games will depend on clearance from the NCA managers. After undergoing surgery on his right knee, performed by Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala in Mumbai following a near-fatal accident on New Year’s Eve last year, and dealing with injuries to his back and ankles, there is uncertainty about Pant’s ability to keep wickets during the IPL matches.

Rishabh Pant to keep wickets only if cleared by the BCCI

Franchise officials have indicated that he will take on wicket-keeping duties only if cleared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI); otherwise, he will focus on batting and fielding. This dismisses the idea that the 26-year-old player will be exclusively employed as an Impact Player for the team.

“If he is not keeping, he will definitely be on the field and will lead the side,” a franchise official stated.

Rishabh Pant’s absence in the previous IPL season had a significant impact on the Delhi Capitals, resulting in a ninth-place finish in the points table. The team is now banking on Pant’s influential leadership to turn their fortunes around in the upcoming season. Since January 2023, India have played 62 international matches, and Pant has been notably absent from key fixtures, including the four-match home Test series against Australia, the IPL 2023, tours to the West Indies and Ireland, the Asia Cup, and the World Cup.

Additionally, he is expected to miss the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan and the crucial five-match Test series against England in February and March. His unavailability is already evident in the ongoing series against South Africa.

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