In a significant development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Tuesday that wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has been declared fit for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, commencing from March 22. However, the fast bowling duo of Mohammed Shami and Prasidh Krishna will be sidelined from the tournament due to injuries.
Pant, who has been sidelined since a road accident following the Bangladesh series, underwent an extensive 14-month rehabilitation process. The BCCI statement highlighted Pant’s recovery journey following the life-threatening mishap near Roorkee, Uttarakhand, on December 30th, 2022.
“After undergoing an extensive 14-month rehab and recovery process, Rishabh Pant has now been declared fit as a wicketkeeper-batter for the upcoming IPL 2024,” the statement affirmed.
The Delhi Capitals’ talismanic player participated in practice matches and is set to make his comeback in the IPL, featuring in the opening match against the Punjab Kings at Mohali on March 23.
Pant’s return to fitness comes as a significant boost, not only for his franchise but also for the Indian team, with the ICC T20 World Cup scheduled for June in the West Indies and USA. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah underscored Pant’s importance, expressing optimism about his potential inclusion in the national squad for the prestigious tournament.
“If he can play the T20 World Cup for India, that will be a big thing for us. He is a big asset for us,” Shah emphasized during an interaction at the sidelines of the fifth Test match between India and England in Dharamsala.
