Delhi Capital chief coach Ricky Pointing said that Rishab Panth was “very confident” that he would achieve the desired fitness to take part in the Indian Premier League 2024 edition.
Rishab Pant failed to play IPL 2023 season after he sustained multiple injuries in a car accident in the last week of December 2022.
Ricky Pointing in the meantime said, that the Delhi Capitals are yet to decide on the position that Rishab Pant is expected to play in Indian Premier League 2024.
The head coach further said that Delhi Capitals are unsure if they will give wicketkeeping duties to Rishab Pant.
Ricky Pointing has been named as the new chief coach of the Washington Freedom in Major Cricket League (MLC) 2024. He shared the update on Pant in the event from Melbourne.
Rishab is very positive that he’s going to be right to play. We’re not exactly sure in what way yet. You might have seen all the social media stuff, he’s up and doing well. Ricky said, as quoted by ICC.
But in saying that, the first game is only six weeks away, so we are not sure if he will be able to do wicketkeeping this year. If I were to ask him now I guarantee 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. We missed incredibly in last year’s IPL.
“If you understand the tough time he had in the last 12-13 months it was a horrific situation. Rishab feels very lucky to have survived the accident, let alone to have the opportunity to play cricket again.
We can manage him a minimum of 10 games out of 14, Pointing added.
Last year, Pant charmed the Arun Jaitley Stadium with his presence, encouraging for Delhi Capitals.
In a recent interview that aired recently with broadcaster Star Sports, titled ‘Believe: To Death and Back’, Pant said, that he was sad seeing his team losing one match after the other. Rishab further said, that when Capitals were struggling, he wanted to go out and put his plans in place.
There was a possibility of disarticulation if there was any nerve damage that is when I felt scared, Pant said.
Rishab also spoke about finding joy in little things. I didn’t think I would ever enjoy brushing my teeth. The first time I took a bath, I didn’t feel like coming out. These small things gave him happiness because I’m lucky to have a second life.
Doctors said, there was no crack after the accident, Yes the knee injury was major, but this could have been really big that none of us can know, but the other side is that despite the crash I was alive.
Rishab has been involved in Delhi Capital’s planning for the Indian Premier League 2024 season and was seen at the franchise’s auction table in Dubai in December.
Ricky said, “Our batting was disappointing last year” mostly Indian batters to be honest. We thought many of the players could manage tough conditions in Delhi, especially on a spinning pitch, but we weren’t good enough in those conditions.
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