Pant declared fit for IPL; set to return as Delhi captain
NEW DELHI: The BCCI on Tuesday declared Rishabh Pant fit to play as a wicketkeeper-batter in the upcoming IPL, brightening his prospects of a national comeback in the T20 World Cup after suffering multiple injuries in a harrowing car crash 14 months ago.
Pant, who will once again be back as Delhi Capitals skipper, has undergone extensive rehabilitation and is ready to shoulder the dual responsibility in the event starting March 22, ending weeks of speculation surrounding his exact role in the league.
“After undergoing an extensive 14-month rehab and recovery process, following a life-threatening road mishap on December 30th, 2022, near Roorkee, Uttarakhand, Rishabh Pant has now been declared fit as a wicket-keeper batter for the upcoming IPL 2024,” said the BCCI in a statement. The T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in the West Indies and the USA in June.
A few weeks back, Pant, in an interaction with Star Sports, had recalled telling his doctor that he would shave off at least six months from his recovery timeline.
“I asked the doctor how long will it take for me to recover. I told him that everybody is speaking different things, but you will give me the most clarity about it. He (Doctor) said it would take 16 to 18 months. I told the doctor from whatever timeline you give me, I will reduce six months from it,” Pant had told the official TV broadcasters of IPL.
The National Cricket Academy had declared him fit a week back after he passed all the fitness tests related to his ‘Return To Play’ (RTP). It has been learnt that he batted for long hours and more importantly, kept wickets for extensive periods in match simulations organised by the NCA.
There was speculation that he might play only as an ‘Impact Player’ or batter but one of India’s biggest match-winners in the past six years has managed to get back in shape to go full throttle. Pant keeping wickets also means that he would have a fair chance of playing the T20 World Cup if he can come up with some impactful innings during the IPL season.
“If he can make the T20 World Cup for us, that will be a big thing for us. He is a big asset for us. If he can keep, he can play the World Cup. Let’s see how he does in the IPL,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah had recently said. Pant was present at the Capitals table during the IPL auction last year, and has been working on his fitness at the NCA after recovering from the injuries sustained.
Pant keeping wickets also means that he would have a fair chance of playing the World T20 if he can come up with some impactful innings during the IPL