Pant declared fit for IPL return after 2022 car crash
MUMBAI: India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has been passed fit to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after a 14-month absence from cricket. Pant, 26, has not played since being injured in a serious car accident in December 2022.
It has been confirmed that Pant will play for Delhi Capitals in the upcoming IPL season, which starts on March 22. Should Pant show he can keep wicket well, he could feature in India’s squad for the Twenty20 World Cup in June.
Fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Prasidh Krishna, though, have both been ruled out of the tournament.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a statement posted on X: “After undergoing an extensive 14-month rehab and recovery process, following a life-threatening road mishap on December 30th, 2022, Rishabh Pant has now been declared fit as a wicketkeeper batter for the upcoming TATA IPL 2024.”
Pant required reconstruction surgery on a ligament in his right knee following the crash, world governing body the ICC has stated. At the time of the crash, reports in India stated Pant also suffered injuries to his back and head.
Pant’s last match came days before the car accident that sidelined him for over a year, scoring 93 in the first innings of India’s Test win over Bangladesh in Mirpur.
He has played 33 Tests, 30 oneday internationals and 66 T20s for India.
Delhi Capitals, who are captained by Pant, start their IPL campaign on March 23 against Punjab Kings.
Batter KL Rahul is set to return for the IPL after missing the final four Tests of the series win over England with a quadricep injury.
The update on Pant came just a day after BCCI secretary Jay Shah had told the media that Pant was “batting well and keeping well,” and could be in contention for a place in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup in June.
“If he can play the T20 World Cup for us, which will be a big thing for us. He is a big asset for us,” Shah said. “If he can keep, he can play in the World Cup. Let’s see how he does in the IPL.”
Shami’s complete unavailability will have come as a big blow to Gujarat Titans, who will be led by Shubman Gill after Hardik Pandya returned to Mumbai Indians. Shami picked up 28 wickets in IPL 2023 and won the purple cap for Titans as they finished runners-up to Chennai Super Kings.
Shami’s last appearance was at the ODI World Cup final. Playing through pain during the tournament while taking injections to treat his ankle, Shami ended up with the most wickets at the World Cup.
For Rajasthan Royals, it will be a second season without Prasidh. He missed out with injury in 2023 too. Prasidh picked up his latest injury during the Ranji Trophy season while representing Karnataka.
He had played an important role in IPL 2022 for the Royals, with his 19 wickets in 17 games a key factor in the team’s run to the final that year.