After making a comeback to competitive cricket through Indian Premier League, Rishabh Pant showcased his form with the bat courtesy of an entertaining cameo against Punjab Kings on Saturday. Pant, who scored 18 off 13 balls with a strike-rate of 138 featuring two sumptuous boundaries.

However, a short ball from Harshal Patel marked the end of an otherwise promising knock. Pant, ended up dabbing a dolly into the hands of Bairstow at backward point resulting in a soft dismissal.

After winning the toss first at their new home ground in Mullanpur, Punjab Kings asked Delhi Capitals to bat first toss on a fresh track. After a brilliant start, Capitals have lost already five wickets in the innings with Axar Patel and Tristan Stubbs in the middle.

During the toss, Rishabh Pant said,"We would have batted first. The wicket looks a little on the slower side. Really emotional time for me. Just want to enjoy the moment. Not thinking much. I think not worried about last season. Really exciting times. We have been preparing well. Four overseas batters for us. Hope, Marsh, Warner, Stubbs."

The game marks the comeback of Rishabh Pant, who was out of action for more than 14 months after a horrific car accident in December, 2022.

Teams:

Delhi Capitals: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Shai Hope, Rishabh Pant (w/c), Ricky Bhui, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Sumit Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Ishant Sharma.

Punjab Kings: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (w), Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Shashank Singh.