• Source:JND
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India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is raring to make his return to competitive cricket in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Amid the excitement and nervousness, the comeback man is 'pleased' with his squad and raring to clinch the maiden title for Delhi Capitals.

Pant missed the last edition of the IPL due to multiple injuries suffered in the horrific car accident in December 2022. After the clearance from the BCCI's medical team, Pant will lead Delhi Capitals and also perform the duty of the wicketkeeper-batter from the first match. The franchise will start their IPL 2024 campaign against Punjab Kings in Mohali on March 23.

In Pant's absence last year, Delhi Capitals finished at ninth spot, just above bottom-placed Sunrisers Hyderabad.

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"Really excited but at the same time, nervous also. When you are sitting outside, talking and having fun, it's okay but once you take the field, it's a different atmosphere altogether. Little nervous but I think that comes with the game, part and parcel of the process. Excited because I don't know how I'm going to be on the field. Having fun each and everyday, thinking positive," Pant said on the Club Prairie Fire podcast.

In last year's auction, Delhi Capitals added nine players to their squad including domestic and international talents. The Delhi-based side signed Australia pacer Jhye Richardson and four wicketkeeper-batters including -- West Indies' Shai Hope, South Africa's Tristan Subbs, Jharkhand Kumar Kushagra and Ricky Bhui as back-up for Pant.

Meanwhile, England batter Harry Brook, who was given the Rs 4 crore deal in the auction, has pulled out of this season due to personal reasons.

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With the addition of a bunch of new talent in the squad, Pant is excited to team up with the squad in the tournament.

"I think mostly I'm pleased with it (DC squad) because in mini-auction, you can't do much about it because whatever goal you have, you have to work around it. That's the only thing you can do. Some setbacks may come but then setbacks are part of life. Really excited about the squad," Pant said.

Pant's prospects of making a comeback to the national team would undoubtedly be enhanced by a strong IPL season, especially with the T20 World Cup slated for June. The season will see a lot of attention paid to the wicket-keeper batter's health, because keeping wickets can be taxing to anyone let alone someone who is recovering from a horrific injury.

"As a player, you want to get back to international cricket but at the same time, I don't want to think too much. It is in the back of my mind but whatever is in my plate right now, I have to think about it right now. Keeping it simple because the world that we live in is complicated anyway. So, keeping things simple is the best way I think about it. One thing I missed is being around my team and having fun with teammates," Pant said on his chances of making an international return based on IPL performance.

Delhi Capitals will take on Punjab Kings in their opening encounter in the tournament in Mohali on March 23.