Rishabh Pant is steadily progressing towards his eagerly awaited return to the IPL, having participated in a practice match organized by his franchise, the Delhi Capitals, in Alur, Karnataka.
Pant, who was involved in a serious car accident in December 2022, has been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy and is diligently working to regain match fitness ahead of the IPL's commencement in the latter half of March.
The left-handed batsman had previously featured in an exhibition game last year as part of his recovery process.
"The match was aimed at assessing his mobility primarily. He has been practicing in the nets for some time, and playing in a practice match was an extension of that," mentioned a source from the NCA, referring to the intra-squad game in Alur near Bengaluru.
Earlier this month, Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting provided an optimistic update on Pant's progress, expressing confidence in the game-changing cricketer's return to the IPL.
However, Ponting hinted that Pant may not be ready to take on wicketkeeping duties during the competition, indicating that his participation in that capacity remains uncertain.
"Pant is very confident about his return to play. However, we're not sure about the extent of his involvement yet," Ponting remarked during an event in Melbourne.
"He's such a dynamic player. He's obviously our captain. We missed him incredibly last year," Ponting acknowledged.
Reflecting on Pant's journey over the past year, Ponting emphasized the significance of his recovery from the harrowing accident and expressed hope for his return to the field.
The 26-year-old Pant, known for his aggressive batting style, has represented India in 33 Tests, 30 ODIs, and 66 T20s.
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