The upcoming 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League is all set to kickstart in a few days and all the eyes will be on the return of wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant. The star keeper-batter will be returning to action after more than a year and all eyes will be fixed on him.
After more than a year on the sidelines, Rishabh Pant is all set to make his long-awaited comeback in the upcoming IPL 2024. Recently, the medical team of the BCCI cleared him to participate in the tournament. Pant is slated to play his first game on March 23, when Delhi Capitals will face Punjab Kings. This will be Pant’s competitive appearance since December 2022.
Rishabh Pant Ignored Named This Legendary Keeper His ‘All-Time’ Idol
Rishabh Pant met with a horrific accident back in December 2022 following the Test series against Bangladesh. He was returning home when his car collided and got burnt. Rishabh was rushed to the hospital for treatment of injuries and also underwent knee surgery. He was recovering at the NCA till now and was updating his fans with his recovery process.
As Rishabh was recovering he had to miss all the cricket in 2023 including some major tournaments like World Test Championship and ODI World Cup 2023. But, he made sure he put his everything into attaining full fitness.
Meanwhile, ahead of his much-awaited return, Rishabh appeared on the the Club Prairie Fire Podcast and called the legendary Adam Gilchrist ‘one of his all-time cricketing idols’. The host of the podcast mentioned that Pant expressed his admiration for the former Australia wicketkeeper before the recording started. He said:
“Everyone knows. See. I think he has been an inspiration for me. As a kid, I used to watch him a lot, and I am someone who does not like watching cricket a lot. He was someone I used to look up to him for the way he used to take on the field, batting, and wicketkeeping. I used to love everything about him. When I met for the first time in Australia, it was amazing,”
Furthermore, Rishabh Pant also expressed his excitement and nervousness over his return to the cricket field. Pant said that though he is nervous but he is trying his best to stay positive. He said:
“Really excited but at the same time, nervous also,” said Pant. “When you are sitting outside, talking and having fun, it’s okay but once you take the field, it’s a different atmosphere altogether.”
He added: “Little nervous but I think that comes with the game, part and parcel of the process. Excited because I don’t know how I’m going to be on the field. Having fun each and everyday, thinking positive,”
