IPL 2024: Want To See Rishabh Pant Play For India Soon, Says Former Australia Captain Michael Clarke

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke is among a majority of the cricket fraternity that wants to see wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant "come back and play for India as soon as possible".

Pant, who suffered multiple injuries from a near-fatal car crash in December 2022, made his comeback to competitive cricket in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, returning as the captain of Delhi Capitals.

The 26-year-old was greatly missed by the IPL franchise last season and the national cricket team in ICC events such as the World Test Championship Final as well as the ODI World Cup in 2023.

His availability for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in June will be a major boost to the country. There were doubts on how he would cope with keeping wickets and play as a captain, but he has passed that test so far.

Pant, who made scores of 18 and 26 in the first two matches of the season, has scored back to back fifties in the next two matches against Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders, showing glimpses of his batting form.

While he scored a crucial 32-ball 51 against CSK, Pant smashed a 25-ball 52 in the most recent encounter at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday (April 3).

Following that knock, former Australia cricketer Clarke spoke exclusively to Star Sports on Cricket Live about Pant's performance against KKR and how the wicketkeeper-batter has put in the hard work to be back playing.

"Yeah look it's great for Indian cricket, but it's also great for Rishabh Pant. I think the work that has gone into his rehab to get back to that level of play at any standard is an amazing achievement," Clarke said on Star Sports Cricket Live.

"He's deserves a lot of credit for his hard work and it's great to see him on the field, captaining and playing well, batting and keeping."

Clarke also said there could be some concerns after returning from that long layoff, but is glad that Pant is fine and will be ready for Delhi Capitals' next match.

"He looked a little bit sore, a little bit ginger, I saw the Delhi physio run out to the field a couple of times to check on him, so hopefully he's pulled out okay, the positives are in the presentation he said he was fine and hopefully a day off or a couple of days off and he will be ready for the next game," Clarke added.

Many cricket fans will like to see Pant back in the international circuit and Clarke is also among the masses that wants to see the keeper-batter back in the Indian team.

"He's a wonderful player and everybody is happy that he's back on the field and we want to see him play for Delhi, but we also want to see him come back and play for India as soon as possible," Clarke said.

The wicketkeeping position will have a lot of competition for India's next assignment, the T20 World Cup 2024, which is set to be held in June in the Caribbean and USA.

Pant will be among at least six suitors to take the gloves with the likes of Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma, Dhruv Jurel, Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul also set to be in conversation for two spots in the squad.

Pant, who was the number one choice before his accident, has done well so far to warrant a place, but will need to be consistent and injury-free to cement a spot as the wicketkeeper for India at the T20 World Cup 2024.