Monday, December 11, brought great news for cricket fans as it has been confirmed that Rishabh Pant will make his much-awaited comeback to top-level cricket through the IPL 2024.
Cricbuzz has reported that not only Rishabh Pant will make his comeback in IPL 2024, but the Uttarakhand cricketer will resume his duties as the captain of the Delhi Capitals.
Fans were delighted to see this news as they have been waiting for the return of the 26-year-old who missed all action in 2023, and will miss the first two months of cricket in 2024, due to the injuries he sustained in a car accident in December last year.
Cricbuzz reported: “The Delhi Capitals management has confirmed that the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, who has been out of action for nearly a year, will lead the franchise in the 2024 IPL season.”
There were some rumors that since Pant is unlikely to do wicket-keeping duties – his major injuries were on his knees, ankle, and back – Delhi will use him as an Impact Player and he will play only as a batsman, with David Warner likely to continue to lead the Capitals.
However, a DC official has confirmed that Pant will captain Delhi in IPL 2024. “If he is not keeping, he will definitely be on the field and will lead the side,” a franchise official told Cricbuzz.
Harsha Bhogle pens an emotional message for Rishabh Pant
Renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle penned an emotional message for Rishabh Pant on Twitter upon learning the news of his imminent return in IPL 2024.
Harsha Bhogle tweeted: “This is such good news. Can’t wait to see @RishabhPant17 on the field. A big thumbs up to his surgeons. He is a lucky man and I so hope he enjoys the rest of what will be a fine career.”
The BCCI medical team and management will tab Pant’s recovery and fitness and will make a call on whether he should be allowed to do wicket-keeping in the IPL.
This also has raised a glimmer of hope that if Pant has a good IPL 2024 season with the bat, then he could also feature in the T20 World Cup 2024, that will follow immediately after the IPL.
Delhi Capitals retained players:
Rishabh Pant, David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Yash Dhull, Abishek Porel, Axar Patel, Lalit Yadav, Mitchell Marsh, Pravin Dubey, Vicky Ostwal, Anrich Nortje, Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi, , Khaleel Ahmed, Ishant Sharma, Mukesh Kumar