PBKS vs DC, IPL 2024: Rishabh Pant 'really emotional' as he takes field for Delhi Capitals after 672 days

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PBKS vs DC, IPL 2024: Rishabh Pant returned to action for the first time since his near-fatal car accident in December 2022, leading Delhi Capitals (DC) in the second match of the IPL 2024 at the New PCA Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh on Saturday, March 23.

Pant, who last played for Delhi Capitals 672 days ago in IPL 2022, admitted that he was "really emotional" to get back on the field after his 14-month-long injury lay-off. He received a standing ovation from the crowd as he made his entry into competitive cricket after a gap of 453 days.

The left-handed batter from Delhi played a knock of 18 runs off 13 balls before getting dismissed by Harshal Patel. Jonny Bairstow took the catch to bring a premature end to the Delhi Capitals skipper's knock, which was laced with a couple of boundaries.

In his short stay at the pitch, Pant showed glimpses of his batting repertoire and fearless attitude that made him a fan favourite. The Uttarakhand cricketer even attempted a reverse sweep during his stay.

Fellow India cricketer, Suryakumar Yadav took to his social media handle and gave a shout-out to Pant as he made his return on the pitch. "Moment we all have been waiting for. Inspirational movies bahut dekhi hain par iss real life story ka koi tod nai Rishabh Pant (We have watched many inspirational movies but nothing beats this real-life story Rishabh Pant)," SKY Yadav wrote on his handle on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"We would have batted first. The wicket looks a little on the slower side. Really emotional time for me. Just want to enjoy the moment. Not thinking much. I'm not worried about last season. Really exciting times. We have been preparing well," Pant said after Punjab Kings captain Shikhar Dhawan won the toss and invited Delhi Capitals to bat first.

Rishabh Pant was declared fit as a wicketkeeper-batter ahead of the IPL 2024 by the new NCA. The southpaw would now look to find his feet back, and make a case for himself to be picked in India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad. The ICC event starts on June 2.

The 26-year-old also revealed Delhi's playing eleven for the match, naming David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Shai Hope and Tristan Stubbs as the four overseas players. Prithvi Shaw was benched for DC's season opener.

Delhi Capitals Playing 11 vs Punjab Kings

David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Shai Hope, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Ricky Bhui, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Sumit Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Ishant Sharma

Shikhar Dhawan reckoned that he opted to field to see the nature of the pitch at the newly-constructed Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh. It's the 36th venue used in the IPL history.

Punjab Kings Playing 11 vs Delhi Capitals

Shikhar Dhawan(c), Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Shashank Singh.