Unfit with no timeline for return apart from a massive hope that he will be back in IPL 2024. But Rishabh Pant has got the backing from batting legend Sunil Gavaskar to make it to the T20 World Cup 2024 squad should he make a comeback in IPL 2024. Currently, Ishan Kishan and Jitesh Sharma are the two preferred options as wicketkeepers. KL Rahul is also lurking in the shadows after an excellent World Cup with the bat and the gloves.
Rishabh Pant is recovering from following ligament reconstruction surgery. He sustained extensive damage in a near-fatal car crash last December. While he has begun rehabilitation, he is not even near-match fitness. However, Gavaskar believes no matter how he fares in the IPL 2024, Rishabh Pant walks into the team.
“He walks back into the team. He’s an impact player. He shows his fitness in the IPL. Four months to go for the IPL. He plays the IPL. If he plays the whole IPL without any injury setback, then he walks into the team. Whether he scores one run or no runs at all in the IPL,” Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports pre-match show on Tuesday.
Gavaskar further added that Rishabh Pant is a game-changer and should be among the two wicketkeepers for T20 World Cup 2024.
“I think he is a game-changer. He would be one of the first couple of picks if I was a selector,” Sunil Gavaskar added.
Rishabh Pant Health Update
As things stand, Rishabh Pant is still in the recovery stage. While he has begun rehab at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, he is yet to play extensive cricket. While the BCCI expected him to ease into cricket through domestic, he will miss the Ranji Trophy as he is still not fit. Instead, his franchise Delhi Capitals and its director of cricket Sourav Ganguly confirmed that Rishabh Pant will return in IPL 2024.
However, his return to IPL 2024 will be only confirmed if he gets the BCCI medical team’s clearance in February.
The question is: will he be ready to keep wickets? There is no definitive answer to that yet. With all three ligaments on the right knee reconstructed, Pant may take longer to return to keeping duties. And Delhi Capitals are ready to take that gamble as well.
“If he is not keeping, he will definitely be on the field and will lead the side,” a Delhi Capitals official told Cricbuzz.
But is there a place for Rishabh Pant in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad if he does not keep wickets? It’s unlikely.
Rishabh Pant Injury Timeline
- December 2022: Pant suffers horrific car accident on December 30, 2022.
- January 2023: Pant is airlifted to Mumbai for further treatment at the Kokilaben hospital.
- February 2023: Pant undergoes knee ligament reconstruction surgery in Mumbai under Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala
- February 2023: Rishabh Pant returns home after spending nearly 45 days in hospital.
- April 2023: Pant attends DC vs GT IPL match in Delhi, making first public appearance since the accident.
- April 2023: First time since his accident, Pant begins walking without support at the NCA.
- June 2023: Pant continues gym sessions with Team India players.
- August 2023: Rishabh Pant continues his recovery but bats for the first time in public eyes.
- September: Misses both Asia Cup and World Cup as recovery continues.
- October 2023: More positive news on recovery but still not fit to play in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
- November 2023: Attends Delhi Capitals’ camp in Kolkata as recovery continues.
- December 2023: Rishabh Pant is present at IPL 2024 Auction Table and takes part in bidding for Mitchell Starc.
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