Rishabh Pant opens up on two failed comeback attempts before getting match-fit ahead of IPL 2024

Rishabh Pant was replaced as skipper of Delhi Capitals by David Warner of Australia in IPL 2023.

Wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant was declared fit to play in the upcoming 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, which is going to start on March 22nd, the BCCI said on Tuesday. After getting match-fit the star batter has opened up on two failed comeback attempts during his 14-month rehabilitation program.

After surviving a horrific car crash in December 2022, Pant was rushed to a nearby hospital before being airlifted to Mumbai for further treatment and surgery. After surgery, the 26-year-old was seen undertaking an intensive rehabilitation program at the NCA for the past 14 months.

Recently, Rishabh Pant was also spotted playing a few practice matches and with his progressive recovery, the BCCI provided a major update on Pant on Tuesday, saying that the wicket-keeper batter has now been declared fit and can play in the upcoming edition of the cash-rich league.

“After undergoing an extensive 14-month rehab and recovery process, following a life-threatening road mishap on December 30th, 2022, near Roorkee, Uttarakhand, Rishabh Pant has now been declared fit as a wicket-keeper batter for the upcoming TATA IPL 2024,” the BCCI statement read.

Pant is all set to make a return for the Delhi Capitals franchise after missing the IPL 2023 tournament and he could also play for the Indian side at the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which is going to be played in the West Indies and the United States of America from 2nd to 29th June.

It was very upsetting: Rishabh Pant opens up on two failed attempts

In an interview with the Times of India, Pant admitted that he made two failed attempts before being declared match-fit by the NCA ahead of the 17th edition of the IPL. The 26-year-old also revealed that he gave it a shot before the 2023 ODI World Cup and the five-match test series against England at home.

“I was anxious waiting to be declared fit. I was trying to get fit before the test series against England. BCCI and NCA were very helpful. BCCI secretary Jay Shah took personal interest. They didn’t want to rush me to the longest format. They slowly built up the workload. That was the best part of the recovery. You have to appreciate if someone takes care of you like that. They suggested that I start with T20s and then increase the workload,” Pant told the Times of India.

“It was very upsetting. We discussed with the NCA team that we will take a shot at the World Cup. All of us tried 200%. But, my knee couldn’t take the load. That was where I started pushing myself more. When you start giving yourself shorter goals, that helps in pushing yourself. It’s like building a good test innings,” he added.

The BCCI has only announced the IPL 2024 schedule for the first 21 matches because the cricket board is waiting for India’s general election dates to be finalized. Defending champions Chennai Super Kings will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22 in Chennai in the tournament opener. 

Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals will play their first league game against Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium, Mohali on 23rd March.

Delhi Capitals squad for IPL 2024

Rishabh Pant (c), Pravin Dubey, David Warner, Vicky Ostwal, Prithvi Shaw, Anrich Nortje, Abishek Porel, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Lungi Ngidi, Lalit Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Mitchell Marsh, Ishant Sharma, Yash Dhull, Mukesh Kumar, Harry Brook, Tristan Stubbs, Ricky Bhui, Kumar Kushagra, Rasikh Dar, Jhye Richardson, Sumit Kumar, Shai Hope, Swastik Chhikara.

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