Rishabh Pant Injury Update: Rishabh Pant is making a faster-than-expected recovery but his future as a wicketkeeper still remains in doubt. The southpaw underwent multiple surgeries after a near-fatal car crash last December. In his absence, Delhi Capitals struggled, finishing second from last. Pant’s return is eagerly anticipated, but whether will he be able to take the workload of a wicketkeeper remains to be seen.
“Rishabh’s progress is remarkable. But at this stage, it’s very difficult to say whether he will resume keeping straightaway. It may take 3 months once he returns to practice or may take more than 6 months. We are not sure. We all have to take this slowly. Rishabh is young and has a lot of time to play cricket. But with the kind of injury he has had, he cannot be rushed,” a BCCI official told InsideSport.
Also Read: DC Reboot begins, lean coaching staff for IPL 2024 amid Rishabh Pant uncertainty
While Delhi Capitals found an able leader in David Warner, it was Rishabh Pant’s keeping they missed the most. In his absence, the franchise roped in Abhishek Porel as a last-minute replacement. Sarfaraz Khan was tried on the spot, but he failed to make it count. They did eventually settle on Phil Salt, but that severely lopsided their overseas combination.
Should Rishabh Pant come back and keep wickets, Delhi Capitals’ solve most of their problems. Pant presents himself as a formidable middle-order option while solving the wicket-keeping conundrum. Ricky Ponting could thus opt to play two overseas pacers on surfaces that suit them. Pant is on the path to recovery and is likely to be match fit as a batter by January. But with uncertainty over his keeping, Delhi Capitals will need a cover for Rishabh Pant as a keeper.
By the time the IPL 2024 Auction rolls in December, a Rishabh Pant return is still some way off. Delhi Capitals will have to focus on adding wicketkeeping depth primarily, with the Pant question on their heads. The franchise is keen on undoing its past mistakes and has already begun a reboot. While Ricky Ponting survives as the head coach, DC has parted ways with Ajit Agarkar and Shane Watson
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