Rishabh Pant is poised to return to competitive cricket for the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season following his recent fitness clearance from the National Cricket Academy (NCA). According to insiders, Pant, who has been undergoing intensive rehabilitation at the NCA in Bengaluru since April last year, received the green light for his fitness and departed the NCA a few days ago.
The IPL 2024 season will signify Pant’s comeback to competitive cricket after his last appearance in the two-match Test series in Bangladesh in December 2022. Following the series, Pant miraculously survived a severe car accident while en route to his hometown Roorkee on December 30, 2022. After initial treatment at Saksham Hospital Multispecialty and Trauma Centre, he was transferred to Max Hospital, Dehradun. Subsequently, on January 4, 2023, Pant was airlifted to Mumbai for surgery and further recuperation at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Andheri West, Mumbai.
Under the care of Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, head of the Centre for Sports Medicine and Director of Arthroscopy & Shoulder Service, Pant underwent surgery for his right knee ligament injuries. Since then, Pant has been on an arduous journey to recovery, including hydrotherapy and physiotherapy sessions to become crutches-free by May. In April, he was spotted attending DC’s match against Gujarat Titans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
During his stint at the NCA, Pant engaged in various activities such as walking on soil and grass, climbing stairs, running on an anti-gravity treadmill, and adhering to a tailored regimen aimed at regaining strength and flexibility. Physio Thulasi Ram Yuvaraj and strength & conditioning coach Rajnikanth Sivagnanam played crucial roles in Pant’s rehabilitation at the NCA.
In July 2023, Pant resumed batting and wicketkeeping practice as part of his return-to-play routine, and he also made an appearance at DC’s auction table during the IPL 2024 Player Auction in Dubai.
Pant, who is also DC’s designated captain in the IPL, participated in various 20-over match simulations at the NCA recently, alongside Hardik Pandya, to gauge his readiness for competitive cricket matches.
Furthermore, Delhi Capitals recently conducted a mini camp for its Indian players at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, and they are set to gather in Visakhapatnam shortly. The Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam will host DC’s first two home games due to the Arun Jaitley Stadium requiring preparation time for IPL 2024 games following the conclusion of WPL 2024 on March 17.
It is understood that Pant’s role in the playing eleven will be evaluated by the team management in Visakhapatnam, with key decision-makers such as head coach Ricky Ponting, director of cricket Sourav Ganguly, and physio Patrick Farhart playing pivotal roles.
Delhi Capitals, who finished ninth in IPL 2023 in Pant’s absence, will kick off their IPL 2024 campaign against Punjab Kings in an afternoon fixture on March 23 at the newly-developed Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in Mullanpur, Mohali.
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