IPL 2024: Rishabh Pant set to return to action for Delhi Capitals as batsman

According to a report from Cricbuzz, Rishabh Pant looks primed for a return to the cricket field for Delhi Capitals (DC) in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

Pant, who was present at the IPL 2024 auctions with the rest of DC's auction staff, will only feature as a batsman, though, with another player touted to don the wicketkeeping gloves.

While there had been a lot of speculation on Pant's fitness front, with the biggest question of them all being "when will the player return to action". DC coach Ricky Ponting did reveal earlier this month that Pant was "eager" to participate in IPL 2024. 

Rishabh is very confident that he's going to be right to play. In what capacity we're not quite sure yet. You would have seen all the social-media stuff, he's up and about and running well. But in saying that we're only six weeks away from the first game as well. So we're not sure if we'll get wicketkeeping out of him this year.

But I'll guarantee if I asked him now he'll say, 'I'm playing every game, I'm keeping every game and I'm batting at No.4.' That's just what he's like, but we'll keep our fingers crossed. 

He's such a dynamic player. He's obviously our captain. We missed him incredibly last year. If you understand the journey he's been on the last 12-13 months, it was a horrific incident. One that I know he feels very lucky to have even survived, let alone have the chance to play cricket again.

We'll just keep our fingers crossed and hope that he can be out there and play. Even if it's not all the games, if we can manage him through 10 of the 14 games or whatever that might be then whatever games you can get out of him will be a bonus.

- Ricky Ponting in a press conference after being unveiled as Washington Freedom's coach

Pant has been actively participating in a warm-up game at Alur, which is close to Bengaluru, as of the most recent update, showing encouraging signs of recovery. For Pant, it is his first game in a very long time.

Why was Rishabh Pant on the sidelines?

On December 30, 2022, while driving on his way back to his hometown Roorkee from Delhi, Pant fell asleep on the wheel. 

As a result, his car collided with a divider near Hammadpur Jhal in Uttarakhand. The extent of the damage to the car led to the four-wheeler catching fire, but Pant was safely rescued by locals. 

Pant suffered near-fatal injuries in the accident, but has been on a steady recovery path since then, regularly posting updates on his social media accounts. 

The BCCI arranged for Pant to have treatment in London last month while he is presently receiving rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.

Will Rishabh Pant play for India at the 2024 T20 World Cup?

It all depends on how Pant's fitness keeps up with him in IPL 2024. 

Remember, the Delhi wicketkeeper-batsman hasn't played for India since late 2022, and will only play as a batsman in IPL 2024 if the recent reports are believed to be true. 

If one has to theorise and predict whether Pant will be called up by India, the answer to that prediction is most likely to be a no.