Before IPL 2024, the BCCI medical team provided a statement clearing Rishabh Pant to the wicketkeeper-batter role for his franchise, Delhi Capitals. It is a 14-month rehab period for the Rishab Pant physical and mental toll of a near-death experience.
Rishab Pant Doesn’t Played Cricket For Many Days
Indian team management has been clear that not to urge Rishab Pant for the past 1 year to participate in international matches and advise DC the same before IPL 2024. However, Delhi Capitals’ had named Pant as both captain and ‘keeper for the team from the first match itself ahead of the backups Shai Hope and Tristan Stubbs in the starting XI. Despite Rishab Pant’s short comeback, he passed both the batting and keeping tests on his return to cricket after 1.5 years.
Now, DC head coach Ricky Ponting and the team’s Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly have Confirming Pant, having picked up right from where he left and the strong contender for World Cup in the USA & Caribbean on JUNE 2024.
Sourav Ganguly’s Point On Rishab Pant’s Return
Ganguly also said “Pant has high chances to select for India’s T20 World Cup squad. “Only 15 can make it, but I’m sure he’ll be going to the West Indies,”
He should balance & bat in the middle order which is very difficult to say in T20 cricket, because of factors like match-ups, right-left combinations and the situation of the game.
Ricky Ponting On Rishab Pant’s Return
Pant has been excellent in the gloves in all DC’s games in IPL 2024 without any issues, and has been the team’s leading scorer with 254 runs at an average and strike-rate above 150. Ponting detailed how he regained the confidence while managing the increased workloads recently. “It’s pretty obvious that he’s seemingly gotten better and better every game,” Ponting said of Pant’s progress.
“Former Australian captain Ponting said that “I’ve been asked a lot of questions regarding his comeback and World Cup squad in the last couple of weeks. I think he’ll be in the squad 100 percent. Also he pointed out that Pant is a very good player in pressure situations and has too much of an impact on crucial games for India.
Ponting noted that while Pant may have undergone a transformative experience, his on-field demeanor remains steadfast, infused with more energy.
“As a cricketer, I don’t perceive much alteration, truth be told. When I first encountered him during last year’s IPL, it sparked some doubts about his return to form. Yet, he’s back with remarkable resilience.
“The DC franchise has been very much supportive of his comeback. I’m sure all you guys monitored him closely on every match. Hope you know his running between the wickets, his keeping techniques, and he’s lost nothing with his skills with the gloves, he’s moving well. Moreover, witnessing him after the ordeal, it was evident there wasn’t much joy. But now, back in action and excelling, that infectious smile has returned to his face. And that, above all else, is what truly matters.”
