The BCCI has officially deemed Rishabh Pant fit for the next IPL 2024 season. The flashy wicket-keeper batsman has been sidelined for more than a year following catastrophic injuries sustained in a traffic accident in December 2022.
After getting medical treatment, Pant worked hard in rehabilitation at the NCA in Bengaluru before returning to the field. He was ultimately cleared by the BCCI’s medical team to play for Delhi Capitals (DC) in the IPL 2024 season. The official statement of the BCCI, published on Tuesday (March 12), reads:
“After undergoing an extensive 14-month rehab and recovery process, following a life-threatening road mishap on December 30th, 2022, @RishabhPant17 has now been declared fit as a wicket-keeper batter for the upcoming #TATA @IPL 2024.”
It is a significant boost for DC ahead of the IPL 2024, as they missed Pant greatly last year. In his absence, they struggled to find a consistent wicket-keeper batter option throughout the season. The Delhi franchise also had a disappointing season, finishing ninth in the points table under David Warner’s captaincy.
Fans were ecstatic to learn about Rishabh Pant’s fitness. They conveyed their joy through posts on X, with one fan writing:
“The wonder of IPL is such that if a player is in a coma, even then he becomes fit.. Welcome back pant bhai.. have a driver from now.”
Here are some of the other top reactions:
Aakash Chopra Weighs in on Dhruv Jurel’s Test Spot Amid Pant’s Return
Former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra recently discussed the odds of Dhruv Jurel keeping his spot in the Indian Test XI if Rishabh Pant returns.
He predicted that it would be a difficult choice since Jurel performed well under duress, but Pant would win owing to his great track record. During a Colors Cineplex discussion, Chopra said:
“That’s tough actually. It’s tough because Rishabh Pant has to come. It’s not that you are keeping the place warm for him, it’s not the case. Whoever is playing is doing well. You were playing your second Test and gave a ‘Player of the Match’ performance.”
Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra continued:
“Dhruv Jurel has done everything from his side so that you keep him in the scheme of things always. However, it is also true that just like Virat Kohli will play in the XI once he is available, when Rishabh Pant is ready for keeping, he will also become a part of the XI because he is the only wicketkeeper to have scored centuries in Australia, England and South Africa.”
Aakash Chopra