In a significant development for Indian cricket, star wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant has been officially declared fit for the upcoming IPL 2024 season by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Pant’s return to competitive cricket comes after a grueling 14-month rehabilitation and recovery period following a severe car accident near Roorkee, Uttarakhand, on December 30th, 2022.
The BCCI confirmed Pant’s fitness clearance in an official statement issued on Tuesday, marking a pivotal moment in the 26-year-old’s journey back to the field. Pant, who last represented India during the tour of Bangladesh in December 2022, missed out on several major tournaments due to his injury, including the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, IPL 2023, ICC World Test Championship Final, Asia Cup 2023, and the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Having undergone surgeries and extensive rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, Pant showcased his progress through social media updates, culminating in his eagerly awaited return for the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024. The dynamic left-hander will take over the captaincy reins from David Warner, who led the team in his absence last year.
Delhi Capitals are set to kick off their IPL 2024 campaign against Punjab Kings in Mohali on March 23rd, with Pant’s comeback adding an extra dimension of anticipation to the clash.
However, amid Pant’s triumphant return, there have been setbacks for other players. Fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Prasidh Krishna have been ruled out of the season due to ongoing injury concerns.
Shami, who recently underwent surgery for a persistent right heel problem, is under close observation by the BCCI medical team. The Gujarat Titans player has been sidelined since the final of the ODI World Cup last year, marking a prolonged absence from competitive cricket.
Similarly, Prasidh Krishna, representing Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, underwent surgery on his left proximal quadriceps tendon after sustaining an injury during a 2024 Ranji Trophy group match for Karnataka against Gujarat. Like Shami, Krishna will continue his rehabilitation under the supervision of the BCCI medical team at the National Cricket Academy.
