Fans are buzzing with excitement as the news of Rishabh Pant’s much-anticipated comeback in the upcoming IPL season spreads.
Rishabh Pant, the Indian wicket-keeper batsman, is gearing up for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as he has already begun his practice sessions. Pant had been sidelined from competitive cricket after a serious car accident in December 2022. This unfortunate incident caused him to miss key tournaments such as the World Test Championship final, the previous IPL, and the ODI World Cup. Despite the setbacks, Pant is now back on the field, honing his skills in preparation for the upcoming IPL.
Over the last half-year, the 26-year-old has made remarkable strides in his recovery. Such has been the rapid improvement that he’s now set to grace the IPL 2024 as the captain of the Delhi Capitals. The National Cricket Academy (NCA) authorities have given him the green light after thorough assessments, though he won’t be donning the wicketkeeping gloves due to lingering knee injuries from the accident.
Recently, Rishabh Pant showcased his skills in a practice game at the NCA’s Alur ground near Bangalore. A video capturing his innings has gone viral, sparking discussions among fans. In the footage, the left-hander exhibits his trademark aggressive style, effortlessly dispatching the ball after confidently advancing down the track, reminiscent of his pre-accident form. Remarkably, his power, timing, and the graceful arc of his bat swing appear undiminished. This viral video serves as a significant sign of his successful journey back to match fitness.
Cricbuzz has reported that “Pant’s mobility has not been hindered, with sources confirming his ability to run and bat with the same agility and freedom as before the accident”.
Ricky Ponting, the head coach of Delhi, recently discussed the strategy of “handling Pant” during IPL 2024, suggesting that if Pant wasn’t prepared to participate in every match, they would need to manage his involvement.
“We’ll just keep our fingers crossed and hope that he can be out there and play,” Ponting had said. “Even if it’s not all the games, if we can manage him through 10 of the 14 games or whatever that might be, then whatever games you can get out of him will be a bonus.”
“Rishabh is very confident that he’s going to be right to play. In what capacity we’re not quite sure yet. But I’ll guarantee if I asked him now he’ll say, ‘I’m playing every game, I’m keeping every game and I’m batting at No.4.’ That’s just what he’s like, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed,” Ponting was quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
In a recent Star Sports interview, Pant shared how he deliberately disconnected from the external world to concentrate on his recovery.
“I am focusing on recovery cut off from the world. It helps me in recovering fast, especially when the injury is so serious. For recovery, you have to do the same thing every day. It’s boring, it’s irritating, it’s frustrating, but you have to do it.”
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