The co-owner of Delhi Capitals (DC) Parth Jindal has confirmed that star batter-keeper Rishabh Pant will make his cricketing comeback in IPL 2024 and will captain the DC franchise. But he also added that Pant will not keep wickets for DC in the first half of the IPL 2024 atleast.
Rishabh Pant has not played any competitive cricket since his near-fatal accident in December 2022. He underwent knee surgery amongst other treatments after the accident and since then has recovered at home, before moving to the NCA to rehab. He has made huge strides in the last year towards getting match fit.
Recently, Pant started his wicketkeeping drills and is actively engaging in batting and running sessions.
"Rishabh is batting. He's running. He has started his wicketkeeping. He is likely to be fully fit for the IPL. I am expecting Rishabh to play IPL and he will lead from match one. First seven games, we are going to play him only as a batter, and depending on how his body reacts, we will take a call for the rest of the IPL," Jindal said while speaking to ESPNCricinfo.
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The youngster played a few practice games in Alur and shared an Instagram video of his wicketkeeping and no doubt Pant's return will significantly benefit the Capitals.
Parth Jindal also spoke on the fitness and availability of DC’s South African pacer Anrich Nortje. The Proteas pacer missed key tournaments such as the 2023 World Cup, SA20, and the multi-format series against India due to injuries.
He has been a key member of DC franchise since joining in IPL 2020 and has 53 wickets for the team.
"He's fit. Right now, he is bowing athe t 80% intensity. Next week, he will bowl at 100%. He's going to make his comeback in the IPL. He is going to join our camp and should be good to go for our first game," Jindal added.
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Jindal also said that Harry Brook is set to play at no.6 and for the DC in the IPL 20the 24. He was also pleased with Tristan Stubbs' outstanding SA20 season and Mitchell Marsh taking over as Australia's T20I captain.
"We feel very confident, the balance of the team is a lot better with Rishabh coming back in. We have a very good squad and a lot of options with players like Tristan Stubbs, who had a phenomenal SA20 (with SA20 2024 champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape), and Mitch Marsh becoming captain of Australia's T20I team,” Jindal said.
Delhi Capitals will play their first match of IPL 2024 on March 23 in Mohali against Punjab Kings in a day game.
(ESPNCricinfo inputs)
