Major Update on Rishabh Pant Return, Wicketkeeper-Batter Likely To Play IPL 2024: Report

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Star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is all set to return to competitive cricket with IPL 2024, reported Cricbuzz on Monday. The batter has been out of the cricket field for close to a year now following a life-threatening car crash in Uttarakhand.

Rishabh Pant, who underwent multiple operations and surgeries on his injuries, will return as the captain of Delhi Capitals for the new IPL season with David Warner leading the team in his absence in IPL 2023.

According to a BCCI source, Rishabh Pant, who is presently receiving rehabilitation at Bengaluru's National Cricket Academy (NCA), should be back to full fitness by the end of February. The 26-year-old southpaw's ability to play an active role in IPL matches will depend on the NCA managers giving their approval.

There's still doubt about Pant's ability to keep wickets in the IPL after he had surgery on his right knee (done by Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala in Mumbai) after a near-fatal accident on New Year's Eve last year, along with back and ankle injuries.

According to team officials, he will only take on wicket-keeping responsibilities if approved by the BCCI; in the absence of clearance, he will concentrate on hitting and fielding. This eliminates any possibility that the team will only use the 26-year-old as an Impact Player. A representative for the team said, "If he is not keeping, he will be on the field and will lead the side."

The Delhi Capitals, who placed ninth in the IPL points table, felt the loss of Rishabh Pant contribution greatly as he was sidelined for the entire 2017 season. The Capitals are now depending on their motivating leader to bring about a change in their future season.

Since January 2023, India has participated in 62 international matches. Among many other matches, Pant has missed the World Cup, the Asia Cup, the West Indies series, the Australia Cup, and the four-Test home series against Australia.

Additionally, he probably won't be able to play in the crucial five-Test series against England in February and March, as well as the forthcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan.