IPL 2024: Rishabh Pant Wants To 'Bat As Long As He Can And Get Better Every Day' On Injury Return

Pant is returning to action after more than a year and after meticulous rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore following a fatal car accident in December 2022.

"Jittery, nervous, excited...all of it, but at the same time, just happy, being able to come back to professional cricket. I'm just looking forward to playing my first game tomorrow," Pant said on the eve of Delhi Capitals' season opener.

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The 25-year-old is aiming to bat long and improve in each innings to return to his full potential after returning from multiple surgeries.

"Every time I take the field, it's a different feeling altogether. I just wanted to bat as much as I could and get better every day. I don't think much ahead, I take one day at a time, and give my 100%," Pant added while talking about Delhi Capitals' pre-season camp in Visakhapatnam.

The wicketkeeper has a simple mantra for his teammates to follow in the tournament.

"Most of the conversations are pretty simple. We just want to go out there, have fun, not complicate things and give our 100% in all the games," he said.

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Head coach Ricky Ponting is excited with the return of captain Pant to the franchise after missing the last season due to injury.

"We are about to start an IPL, it's really an exciting time of the year. It becomes more exciting when your captain is back in your team. He is our leader. He is the heartbeat of this franchise and having him back is going to make this team a lot stronger," Ponting said when asked about Pant's return.

Ponting believes it is a positive indication that Pant is a little anxious before his first match, and he did not rule out putting in extra work on the southpaw's return.

"We had a week's training in Vizag before coming here and trust me Rishabh is back and ready to play. He will be a little bit nervous tomorrow, playing his first game in a while but nerves are always good because it means something to you.

"I've seen where his game is at, and don't be surprised if something special happens tomorrow," he said.

Ponting reflected upon the team's pre-season preparations in Visakhapatnam due to WPL matches in Delhi and looked happy with the squad.

"Make no mistake, we have got a great team this year. Our preparations have been absolutely perfect. We are just looking to topping it off today, and make sure we put in a performance that I know would be good enough to win the game tomorrow," Ponting said.