Rishabh is confident that he will be able to play: Ricky Ponting. “So we’re not sure if we’ll get wicketkeeping out of him this year,” Ponting remarked.
Rishabh Pant’s expected comeback to the Delhi Capitals (DC) for the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) has received a positive response from head coach Ricky Ponting. Ponting claimed that Pant, who has been out of action since a vehicle accident in December 2022, has showed positive indications of recovery based on his social media posts. While the southpaw’s preparedness to resume his dual roles as wicketkeeper-batsman and captain is unknown, Ponting remains cautiously optimistic.
The flamboyant player may also feature solely as a batter, and leverage the impact player rule. Ponting, now the head coach of Major League Cricket (MLC) franchise Washington Freedom, recognised the significance of the wicketkeeper-batter’s potential return to the squad. However, confirmation regarding his readiness to shoulder his multifaceted role is awaited, which has kept his fans and the team on the edge as the IPL approaches.
“Rishabh is certain that he will be eligible to play. We’re not sure in what capacity yet. You would have seen all the social media posts; he’s out and about and doing fine. However, we are only six weeks away from the first game. So we’re not sure if we’ll receive wicketkeeping from him this year,” Ponting added, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
“But I’m sure if I ask him now, he’ll say, ‘I’m playing every game, keeping every game, and batting at No. 4.'” That’s simply how he is, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed. He is such a dynamic player. He’s clearly our captain. “We really missed him last year,” he continued.
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Whatever games you can get out of Pant will be a bonus: Ponting
The 26-year-old was joined by Ricky Ponting during the 2024 IPL mini-auction in Dubai on December 19. The explosive player has been constantly practicing at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru in preparation for his comeback. The former Australia captain remained positive about Pant’s recovery, and admitted that his availability for some, if not all, matches would be a huge benefit to the team.
“We’ll just cross our fingers and hope he can get out there and play.” Even if it’s not all the games, if we can get him through 10 of the 14 games or whatever it is, whatever games you get out of him will be a bonus,” Ponting said.
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