With less than a month left for the commencement of IPL 2024, all eyes are eagerly awaiting the return of Rishabh Pant to the cricketing arena after a prolonged hiatus caused by a severe car crash in December 2022. Delhi Capitals co-owner, Parth Jindal, has provided an encouraging update on the dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman’s comeback.
In a conversation with ESPN Cricinfo, Jindal confirmed that Rishabh Pant would lead the Delhi Capitals right from the first match. However, for the initial seven games, he will focus solely on his batting duties.
The decision to resume wicketkeeping will be contingent on how well his body responds, and the team will make that determination for the rest of the IPL. Jindal expressed confidence that Pant would be fully fit for the entirety of IPL 2024.
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“Rishabh is batting. He’s running. He has started his wicketkeeping. He is likely to be fully fit for the IPL. I am expecting Rishabh to play IPL, and he will lead from match one. For the first seven games, we are going to play him only as a batter, and depending on how his body reacts, we will take a call for the rest of the IPL,” stated the DC owner.
Rishabh Pant will start #IPL2024 as captain but will not keep wicket in the first half of the season, Delhi Capitals’ co-owner Parth Jindal has told ESPNcricinfo https://t.co/YVtV9KO90t pic.twitter.com/uUoMYw0vzo
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 23, 2024
Additionally, South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje, who missed significant cricketing action in recent months, including IPL 2023 and the ODI World Cup, is set to make a comeback in IPL 2024. Jindal mentioned that Nortje is currently bowling at 80% intensity, and in the next week, he will ramp it up to 100%. Consequently, he should be fully prepared for their opening game.
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“He’s fit. Right now, he is bowling at 80% intensity. Next week, he will bowl at 100%. He’s going to make his comeback in the IPL. He is going to join our camp and should be good to go for our first game,” added the DC owner.
