It was a hero’s welcome for Rishabh Pant as the Delhi Capitals captain walked out to bat in a competitive match for the first time after 15 months.
The wicketkeeper-batter, who overcame a life-threatening road accident, was given a standing ovation by the crowd at the newly-built Mullanpur stadium in Punjab on Saturday, March 23 as Delhi Capitals took on Punjab Kings in the second match of the IPL 2024 season.
It was an emotional moment for everyone in the cricket fraternity as Rishabh Pant walked to the dugout with his pads on after the fall of the first Delhi Capitals wicket. Pant walked into bat after the wicket of David Warner in the 9th over of the Delhi Capitals innings with their score reading 74 for 2. | IPL 2024, DC vs PBKS LIve Updates | Scorecard |
The television cameras captured the emotional moment as fans at the newly-built stadium were up on their feet, welcoming one of India’s finest match-winners. Even the players and the support staff members of the Delhi Capitals franchise were up on their feet, lauding the young wicketkeeper-batter, who walked out to bat.
Rishabh Pant returned to action after 454 days of absence from competitive cricket. He suffered multiple injuries in the crash crash on December 30, 2022 and feared he might lose his leg due to the severity of the injuries. However, Pant made a miraculous recovery, returning to action earlier than expected.
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Rishabh Pant looked unhappy with his effort after managing 18 in his comeback match. The wicketkeeper-batter was dismissed by Harshal Patel, who got the reward with a slower delivery. Pant did not have pace to work with when he tried to ramp one past the wicketkeeper, but he was caught at point by Jonny Bairstow.
Pant’s commitment to give his best was evident as he went back, not fully happy with his contribution to the team on Saturday.
Rishabh Pant hit the first boundary on his competitive return when he pulled a short delivery from leg-spinner Rahul Chahar. Harshal, who was stationed at deep mid-wicket, misjudged a catch opportunity and conceded a boundary.
The next one was more authoritative as Rishabh Pant hit a fluent cover drive in the very next over, punishing Harshal for erring in line.
Despite Rishabh Pant’s handy knock, Delhi Capitals lost wickets at regular intervals. After opening the batting with Mitchell Marsh and David Warner in the absence of Prithvi Shaw, Delhi raced to a good start as the two Australian bowlers added 39 runs in just 3.2 overs.
However, the Punjab Kings bowling unit stepped up as a unit with the likes of Harshal, Arshdeep Singh, Kagido Rabada, and spinners Rahul Chahar and Harshdeep Brar getting among the wickets.