Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant has received the green light on his fitness from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) just before the commencement of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.
Rishabh Pant, the captain of Delhi Capitals, has reportedly been given the green light for fitness by the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. This No Objection Certificate (NoC) allows Pant to participate in the upcoming Indian Premier League 2024. The talented wicketkeeper-batsman is set to make a comeback after a challenging period, having been involved in a serious accident in December 2022 while traveling from Delhi to Roorkee.
Earlier this year, Pant was named as the captain for DC in IPL 2024, taking over from the legendary David Warner, who led the team in the previous season. After a hiatus of 15 months, Pant is all set to return to professional cricket, having awaited the necessary clearance from the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, where he has been recovering in recent times.
The reports also suggest that Delhi Capitals are prioritizing Rishabh Pant’s international career and won’t rush him back into action. Hence, in the upcoming IPL 2024, he is slated to play solely as a batsman. The franchise aims to be cautious with the wicketkeeper-batsman, closely monitoring his fitness throughout the tournament.
Rishabh Pant is expected to feature in all 14 matches as a designated batter, with the franchise unwilling to take any unnecessary risks. Despite recent videos showcasing him practicing wicketkeeping on social media, the team is committed to ensuring his well-being.
The IPL 2024 will mark Rishabh Pant’s comeback to cricket following a tragic accident in December 2022, which led to knee surgery and other treatments. After a determined recovery at the NCA, he missed the entire 2023 season but worked diligently to regain full fitness.
Delhi Capitals director of cricket, Sourav Ganguly, expressed his enthusiasm about Rishabh Pant’s return to action. Ganguly acknowledged the keeper-batsman’s hard work and remained optimistic about seeing him lead the team throughout the season.
“Rishabh coming back fit is a huge addition for us. We hope he plays the full season because he is a very special player. We have worked on some domestic players who have done well in all formats. But Rishabh is very important. He has done everything to get fit and that’s the reason NCA will clear him. Let Rishabh get cleared on Mar 5 only then we’ll talk about captaincy backups.
“We are taking a cautious approach with him because he has a very long career ahead of him. We don’t want to push him in excitement. We will see how Rishabh reacts. He will be joining the camp once NCA gives him the clearance. We will see match by match. We can’t predict,” Ganguly said.
The IPL 2024 is set to kick off on March 22nd, with the Delhi Capitals gearing up for their first match against the Punjab Kings on March 23rd.
