Indian pair in the spotlight at home

New Delhi – Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant will be under scrutiny on their return to action as the Indian Premier League begins on Friday, with the T20 World Cup hot on its heels.

The 17th edition of the world’s richest cricket league is expected to end close to the 1 June start of the World Cup in the West Indies and United States.

Organisers have released only the first two weeks of the IPL schedule so far because it clashes with India’s six-week-long general election.

Last season the 10-team IPL lasted eight weeks.

“This is a world stage for cricket,” IPL chairman Arun Dhumalsaid this week, boasting the “quality is above any T20 league in the world”.

“Not only the Indian players but also the overseas players will be looking to give their best performance in the run-up to the World Cup,” Dhumal said.

Master batsman Kohli, who missed India’s 4-1 Test series victory over England because of the birth of his second child, is back with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

They take on defending champions Chennai Super Kings, led by MS Dhoni, in the opening match in Chennai today.

“Kohli is crucial for India in the T20 World Cup,” former chief selector MSK Prasad told the IPL’s official broadcaster.

“He has been in form for a long time. He will make runs in this IPL as well.”

Pant is back as captain of the Delhi Capitals, returning to cricket for the first time since being seriously hurt in a car crash in 2022. They face the Punjab Kings tomorrow.

The wicketkeeper-batsman has been on an intensive rehabilitation programme since surviving the crash with a damaged ligament in his right knee, a hurt wrist and ankle, and abrasions to his back.

If he proves his form and fitness, Pant is another in line to play for India at the World Cup.

Another with something to prove is Hardik Pandya, the new captain of five-time IPL winners the Mumbai Indians.

Pandya has been out of action since October after an ankle injury and replaces Rohit Sharma as skipper.