• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Rishabh Pant is not so far from making the much-anticipated return to cricketing action as fans wait for the star player to shine with the bat and gloves in hand once again.

In a piece of promising news, Pant is eyeing a comeback as he is likely to participate in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

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.

It is to be noted that Pant has been out of action for almost a year after he met with an unfortunate car accident in December last year.

 

ALSO READ: Stop Clock Trial Set To Begin During West Indies vs England T20I Series

 

According to the DC Management officials, Pant is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and has shown incredible improvement on a regular basis.

Pant has been on the road to recovery from multiple injuries and is expected to regain fitness by the end of February.

The star wicketkeeper-batter had to undergo knee surgery following a near-fatal accident and suffered multiple injuries on his back and ankles.

It might take a while for Pant to be 100 percent recovered from the injuries on his leg due to which it is highly unlikely that he will be keeping wickets during the IPL matches.

Franchise officials have indicated that he will take on wicketkeeping duties only if cleared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI); otherwise, he will focus on batting and fielding.

There is another possibility that the 26-year-old player might be utilised solely as an Impact Player by the team. "If he is not keeping, he will definitely be on the field and will lead the side," a franchise official stated.

Pant missed the entire IPL season last year and his absence both in batting order and behind the wickets was heavily missed by Capitals.

David Warner led them last season as they had a disappointing campaign last year and finished in the ninth position.

Pant also missed major assignments for the Indian team as well and the 26-year-old will also be hoping for a return in the Blues as soon as possible.

 

ALSO READ: Travis Head Wins Player Of The Month Award For November

 

India have played 62 international matches since Pant's unavailability as he was so unfortunate to have missed the four-Test home series against Australia, the 2023 IPL, the series in the West Indies, Ireland, the Asia Cup, and the World Cup.

He is also likely to be unavailable for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan and the significant five-Test series against England in February and March.