Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Rishabh Pant made his comeback to competitive cricket in the ongoing IPL after recovering from a life-threatening car accident.
In eight innings so far, the southpaw has amassed 254 runs at a strike rate of 150.29, including two half-centuries. He has also looked sharp behind the stumps, taking eight catches and affecting three stumpings.
Looking at his performances, cricket legends Sourav Ganguly and Ricky Ponting have backed Pant to play in the upcoming T20 World Cup for India.
The global showpiece tournament is slated to be held in the West Indies and USA right after the IPL 2024 season, which culminates on May 26.
"I want every young player to play but unfortunately we can only pick 15," Ganguly, who is DC’s Director of Cricket, told reporters on Pant's India selection.
"The (more) equipped, the better one's play... I feel Pant is definitely in that bracket. And I am sure he will go to the West Indies."
Ganguly said Pant's ability to hit "big sixes" makes him stand out and advised the Indian players to "just play without fear".
On the other hand, Delhi Capitals head coach Ponting is hopeful about Pant’s selection in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, which is set to start on June 1.
"I think his batting is getting better and better by the game. I think he has started to get a bit more trust and belief in his body as well. His keeping skills behind the stumps have been really good," Ponting said.
"He is too good a player and can have too much of an impact on the game for India not to select him in the squad," he added.
In December 2022, Rishabh Pant was involved in a horrific car crash on Delhi-Dehradun expressway. He tore all three key ligaments in his right knee and had three successful reconstructive surgeries in the aftermath of the near-fatal accident.
The wicketkeeper-batter then underwent an extended rehabilitation at the NCA and missed out on all the action last year, including the IPL, WTC final, Asia Cup and World Cup.
Mirpur Test against Bangladesh was Pant’s last appearance for India in December 2022 before he met with the accident.
(With AFP Inputs)
