Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting has said Rishabh Pant is “very confident” of playing the entire season of the upcoming IPL 2024. The wicketkeeper-batsman is yet to return to competitive cricket after being involved in a horrific car crash towards the end of 2022.
He did not play a single competitive game in 2023 and is yet to return to action. While it was widely expected that Rishabh Pant would make his much-awaited return to action in the ongoing five-match Test series between India and England, he is still not close to a return. As of now, there is little clarity over his return date as he is still recovering from the injuries he sustained in the accident.
However, Rishabh Pant is confident that he will be available for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024 which is expected to begin next month. He is likely to lead the team if he manages to return for IPL 2024. In his absence last year, veteran opener David Warner led Delhi Capitals in IPL 2023.
Ricky Ponting on Rishabh Pant’s availability:
While Rishabh Pant is confident of playing in IPL 2024, Ponting is still not sure about it. The former Australia captain said that even if the star player returns to action, he is unlikely to keep the wickets in IPL 2024. Ponting stated that whatever Pant does as a player in the upcoming edition will be a bonus for the team.
“Rishabh is very confident that he’s going to be right to play,” Ponting said. “In what capacity we’re not quite sure yet.
“You would have seen all the social-media stuff, he’s up and about and running well. But in saying that we’re only six weeks away from the first game as well. So we’re not sure if we’ll get wicketkeeping out of him this year.