Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals have named Abhishek Porel as Pant’s replacement, but the young Bengal wicket-keeper is unlikely to play in the opening match of the Indian Premier League in 2023 (LSG vs. DC).

As the Delhi Capitals prepare to face the Lucknow Super Giants in the opening match of the Indian Premier League, Rishabh Pant had some words of encouragement for his team (IPL).

Rishabh Pant, who is recuperating after suffering a horrific accident last year, wrote

“I am 13 th player coz of impact rule otherwise would have been 12 th man,” under a Twitter post where the Delhi Capitals asked their fans to predict their starting lineup against LSG.

However, Delhi Capitals have already named Abhishek Porel as Pant’s replacement, and the young Bengal wicketkeeper is not likely to play in the first game.

I am 13 th player coz of impact rule otherwise would have been 12 th man 😊😊😊❤️

— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) April 1, 2023

Sarfaraz Khan is expected to take over keeping duties in Pant’s absence. During the most recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy competition, he also boxed three times while wearing the big gloves. Sarfaraz Khan fractured his finger while keeping during the team’s two-week fitness camp in Kolkata in February, so he missed the Irani Cup match against Madhya Pradesh.

LSG’s captain KL Rahul is going through the worst stretch of his career, but the team is playing at home for the first time and hoping for a turnaround.

In the absence of Quinton de Kock, who is not unavailable due to national commitments, West Indian Kyle Myers will make his IPL debut for LSG, likely opening with Rahul.