Former India batter Aakash Chopra shared his take on what to expect from Rishabh Pant’s long-desired return to cricketing action after his horror car crash in December 2022. Pant will be leading Delhi Capitals in their IPL 2024 campaign, which will also mark his return to the field after 14 months of rehabilitation and recovery.
In his recent YouTube video, Chopra explained how the entire cricketing landscape is hoping for a big return from Pant in DC’s IPL 2024 run, while addressing his chances of returning to the Indian team for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup.
“Opportunities are absolutely plenty. Our emotional quotient has gone very high for Rishabh Pant. We are all waiting for Rishabh Pant to come, hit and shine. Everyone has even started talking about the T20 World Cup, that he will reach there if he scores runs,” Chopra said in his video.
Chopra also emphasised the difficulties the wicket-keeping batter might face on his return to the competitive cricket in the IPL.
“At the moment, we are riding high on emotion because we all love him so much. However, he will go to the ground after a long time. 14 months is a long time. So it’s a big opportunity to see how he will play, that will we see the old Rishabh Pant,” Chopra added.
The excitement amongst Indian cricket fans reached sky-high as the BCCI medical team declared Rishabh Pant fully fit to participate as a wicketkeeper-batter in IPL 2024 on March 12. This excitement was only amped by his IPL franchise, Delhi Capitals, after they announced on March 19 that Rishabh would be resuming his captaincy role in the side in the upcoming edition of the tournament.
The Pant-led DC will face their first challenge of the IPL 2024 season in their opening fixture against the Punjab Kings on March 23 in Mohali. They will be hopping for a better showing in IPL 2024, having finikshed ninbth and fifth in IPL 2022 and IPL 2023 respectively.