• Source:JND
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Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting is confident that comeback man and captain Rishabh Pant will be unfazed to return to competitive cricket in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season after the fatal car accident.

Pant, who missed the entire 2023 cricket season due to multiple injuries, will play for the first time in 15 months in the marquee tournament, starting on March 22. He will lead the franchise from the first match but a decision on his wicketkeeping role will be taken in the second half of the tournament.

“Knowing Rishabh, it probably won't (take time to adjust) because he's such a natural talent and just knowing the sort of person that he is, I don't think he'll be awed,” Ponting said on ICC Review.

“I don't think he'll be scared by the comeback. The fact that he's missed 15 months of cricket, I don't think it'll faze him too much," he added.

Before participating in the full-fledged T20 tournament, Pant played some practice matches, underwent match simulations and also kept wickets to check on his fitness level. He continues to rehabilitate at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and is yet to get match clearance from the BCCI medical team.

Commenting on Pant's recovery, Ponting appreciated the amount of hard work the youngster has put in to be back on his feet and regain the fitness level post injuries.

“He's actually played some practice matches over the last couple of weeks, which has been really encouraging for us. I know he's worked incredibly hard on his body and his fitness to get back to the level that he's at now. He's kept in one of those games, he's fielded in these games and the batting hasn't seemingly been an issue for him so far,” Ponting said.

“We've obviously had worries and concerns that he might not have made it in time to be ready for the IPL this year. I mean, he was a huge loss for us last year and what he went through, we can't even begin to describe what he's been through the last 12 or 14 months," he added.

Ponting reiterated the team's stand of chipping Pant as captain straightaway in the tournament if he is fully fit.

“It's a big decision we'll have to make because if he is fit, you'd think he'd step straight back into that captaincy role,” Ponting said.

“If he's not entirely fit and we have to use him in a slightly different role, then we've got some decisions to make there,” he added.

The veteran cricketer expressed that Pant's comeback is highly awaited in world cricket and he is hopeful of having a good season with the left-handed batter's presence in the squad.

“I'm very hopeful, not from a selfish point of view as the coach of the Delhi Capitals, but I want to see him back playing cricket again.

“I think the whole world wants to see him back playing cricket again and just playing with that youthful exuberance that he has. If he does that, then I know he'll win some games for Delhi and we'll have a good time along the way this season," Ponting said.

Delhi Capitals will open their campaign against Punjab Kings at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium on March 23.