Injured Delhi Capitals regular captain Rishabh Pant is expected to watch the team’s first home game against Gujarat Titans on Tuesday from the Feroz Shah Kotla stands as well. Moreover, he could also be in the dugout if the franchise can secure requisite permission from the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) as well.
“Rishabh has always been an integral part of Delhi Capitals. There is a high possibility that he will be present for the season’s first home game against GT on Tuesday. He will definitely be in the team owner’s box but if ACSU allows, he might also sit for some time in the team dug-out,” an IPL source privy to the development in the Capitals’ camp told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant met with a dangerous car accident last December which ruled him out of competitive cricket for a long period of time. Moreover, he has undergone surgery on his right knee and has just started walking and doing his rehabilitation as well.
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On the other hand, in the opening match against Lucknow Super Giants, the Delhi Capitals team kept their skipper’s jersey No. 17 on the roof of the dug-out as a gesture that he is “always with the team in spirit” as well. However, an IPL source said to PTI that it has been made clear from the BCCI’s end that such a gesture seemed a “bit over the top” and was at one level “uncalled for”.
“It seemed a bit over the top. Such a gesture is reserved in case of ultimate tragedy or retirement. In this case, it was neither. Rishabh is well and truly on his way to recovery faster than one expected. So while it was done with a noble intention, it is learnt that BCCI has politely told the franchise to avoid such gesture in future,” the IPL source said.
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However, it is understood that it was head coach Ricky Ponting’s idea to display Pant’s jersey that way. Meanwhile, the Delhi Capitals will be honouring Rishabh Pant by inscribing his jersey number on all the players during one of the matches when the team will wear a different colour in their jersey. However, the jersey number will be written in one corner and it will not be an infringement on the players’ own jersey numbers as well.
“Every season, DC wears a different jersey during one particular game. In that game, everyone will have Pant’s jersey number inscribed on their jerseys. However there is specific rule for logo and it will be a small inscription in one corner,” the source further said.
