Delhi Capitals are hoping for Rishabh Pant's return at IPL 2024, says top franchise official
New Delhi: Delhi Capitals are hoping that Rishabh Pant will be fully fit to play in the upcoming IPL 2024 by March, a top franchise official said. The Indian wicketkeeper has been sidelined from cricket since December 30, 2022, following a horrific car accident. PKSV Sagar, a top official of Delhi Capitals, believes that Pant is one of their biggest players in the franchise and the 26-year-old will make a quick recovery.
“Yes, we are hoping for the best that we can expect him to play this season. He is the greatest player. If he plays, that's good for us. Our coaches and physio are working on him and the best thing is that he is recovering very well. We hope he will be fit and play for us in March,” Sagar told ANI.
Pant was recently seen in Dubai last December during the IPL 2024 player auction and also participated in the release and retention of the players. He had also attended Delhi Capitals' pre-season training in Kolkata under Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly, head coach Ricky Ponting and assistant coach Pravin Amre. During the camp, Pant spent most of his time indoors to work on his fitness.
The Indian cricketer, who underwent three ligament surgeries after an accident, is undergoing recovery at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. Pant, who regularly shares his recovery updates on social media, has not been out with bat and gloves.
He has been keeping himself indoors and working on his fitness. Pant has represented Delhi Capitals since 2016 and has scored 2,838 runs in 98 matches with one hundred and ten half-centuries to his name. During the IPL 2024 player auction, Delhi Capitals made headlines in Dubai.
They have roped in young Kumar Kushagra for Rs. 7.20 lakh, a possible backup for Pant. However, Delhi Capitals have retained wicketkeeper Abhishek Porel, who impressed last season. They have also roped in hard-hitting English batsman Harry Brook (Rs 4 crore) and Australian pacer Jhye Richardson (Rs 5 crore).
“Yes, we are working on that we want Harry Brooke to play for us in the middle order and we have made our team strong by adding Kushagra,” Sagar added.