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Ricky Ponting and Rishabh Pant (Source: Twitter)
In a positive update for both Delhi Capitals and Indian cricket supporters, Ricky Ponting has expressed confidence that Rishabh Pant will be available to play the entire Indian Premier League (IPL) this year. Pant was involved in a serious car accident on December 30, 2022, which sidelined him from the game. However, he has gradually returned to light fitness activities and has been seen attending India's matches in recent months.
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After sitting out of the previous year's IPL, the ODI World Cup, and several crucial Test series, Pant was anticipated to make his comeback during this year's IPL. Ponting suggested that the 26-year-old believes he is prepared for a return, but he remained uncertain about whether Pant would resume wicketkeeping duties or assume the captaincy role.
"Rishabh is very confident that he's going to be right to play. In what capacity we're not quite sure yet. You would have seen all the social-media stuff, he's up and about and running well. But in saying that we're only six weeks away from the first game as well. So we're not sure if we'll get wicketkeeping out of him this year. But I'll guarantee if I asked him now he'll say, 'I'm playing every game, I'm keeping every game and I'm batting at No.4.' That's just what he's like, but we'll keep our fingers crossed," Ponting said.
We'll just keep our fingers crossed: Ricky Ponting
Rishabh Pant was seen alongside Ricky Ponting at the 2024 IPL mini-auction in Dubai on December 19, signaling his comeback efforts. He has been putting in the work at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru to prepare for his return. The head coach of Delhi Capitals remains optimistic, expressing hope that Pant's availability for at least some games, if not all, would be a significant boost for the team.
"We'll just keep our fingers crossed and hope that he can be out there and play. Even if it's not all the games, if we can manage him through 10 of the 14 games or whatever that might be then whatever games you can get out of him will be a bonus," Ponting said