Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting said he is “very confident” that Rishabh Pant will play the entire upcoming IPL 2024 season. The wicketkeeper-batsman is yet to return to competitive cricket after being involved in a horrific car accident at the end of 2022.
He has not played a single competitive match in 2023 and has not yet returned to active duty. Rishabh Pant was widely expected to make his long-awaited return for the ongoing five-match Test series between India and England, but he is still no closer to making a return. Little is known about his return date at this time as he is still recovering from injuries sustained in the accident.
However, Rishabh Pant is confident of playing for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024, which is scheduled to begin next month. If he can return in IPL 2024, he will lead the team. During his absence last year, veteran opener David Warner led his Capitals from Delhi in IPL 2023.
Ricky Ponting on Rishabh Pant’s availability:
Rishabh Pant is confident of playing in IPL 2024, but Ponting is still not sure. The former Australia captain said even if the star players return, they are unlikely to keep wickets in the 2024 IPL. Ponting said that whatever Pant does as a player in the next edition, it will be a bonus for the team.
“I am very confident that Rishabh can play properly,” Ponting said. “We’re not completely sure about which features yet.
“You’ve seen everything on social media. Things are going well.” But he also says the first game is only six weeks away. So I don’t know if I can take wickets off him this year
“But if you asked him now, he would say, “I play every game, I keep every game, I bat No. 4.” That’s exactly right. He has that kind of personality, but we have press. thumb.
“He’s a very dynamic player. He’s obviously our captain. We missed him incredibly last year. If you understand the journey that took place, it was a terrifying event. I know that he was very lucky not only to have the opportunity to play cricket again, but to have survived.
“We just sit back and hope he can go out and play.” Even if it’s not every game, we can get him through 10 of 14 games or something. Hopefully, we can outwork him every game. Any game we get from him could be a bonus,” he added.
Delhi Capitals will be desperate to turn things around and perform well this year after their poor performance in the last two competitions. They failed to qualify for the playoffs the past two seasons. The Delhi-based team finished in 9th place last year, while in 2022 he finished in 5th place.