Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting shared positive news regarding Rishabh Pant’s recovery and potential return to cricket in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season.
Speaking on the ICC Review, Ricky Ponting, the former Australian cricketer, confirmed that Pant has begun wicketkeeping practice sessions at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. This update comes as a welcome relief for fans and officials eagerly anticipating Pant’s return after his near-fatal car accident in December 2022.
The accident caused Pant to undergo extensive surgeries and rehabilitation over the past 15 months. “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,” Ponting acknowledged.
However, Ponting’s tone shifted to optimism as he discussed Pant’s recent progress. Ponting expects Pant to lead the team if his fitness allows, “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’s actually played some practice matches over the last couple of weeks, which has been really encouraging for us,” Ponting said.
While a final decision regarding Pant’s captaincy for the Delhi Capitals remains to be made, the 49-year-old expressed his desire to see the young talent back on the field, “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… 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 concluded.
The wicketkeeper-batsman has scored an impressive 4354 runs in T20s, and fans anticipate his continued success in the upcoming season of IPL 2024.
Last Updated on March 11, 2024
