India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is likely to return to action in the 2024 edition of Indian Premier League (IPL). He will also lead the Delhi Capitals franchise in the cash-rich tournament, Cricbuzz reported.

Pant survived a near-fatal car accident in December last year. The injuries were so severe that he is still undergoing rehabilitation at the NCA. As a result, the southpaw missed out on all the action in 2023, including the Asia Cup and the Cricket World Cup.

In a positive news, the Delhi Capitals management officials have stated that Pant is expected to regain fitness by the end of February.

According to team officials, Rishabh Pant would focus on batting and fielding and will only perform wicket-keeping duties if authorized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This dismisses earlier reports that the franchise might just use him as an Impact Player.

"If he is not keeping, he will definitely be on the field and will lead the side," Cricbuzz quoted a franchise official as saying.

Last month, DC's team director Sourav Ganguly also confirmed that Rishabh Pant will feature in the upcoming IPL season.

“He’s (Pant) good now. He will play in the IPL next season,” Ganguly had said in an interaction with reporters.

In Pant’s absence, David Warner led the Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2023 edition. The Delhi-based franchise endured a dismal campaign, finishing the season in the ninth position on the points table featuring 10 teams.

Rishabh Pant was last seen in action during the tour of Bangladesh in December 2022. Mirpur Test against Bangladesh was his last appearance before he met with the accident.