According to the former Indian captain and current director of cricket Sourav Ganguly, the participation of Rishabh Pant in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) hinges on the decision of the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
Delhi Capitals are eagerly awaiting clearance for the wicketkeeper, and a verdict is expected on March 5th. The player is out of cricket due to his horrifying accident at the end of December 2022.
After the accident, Rishabh Pant underwent several ligament surgeries on his leg. Currently, he is undergoing rehabilitation under the guidance of the BCCI medical team at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
While Rishabh Pant was in NCA, he kept informing fans about his recovery progress through videos. In a recent update, he shared a video showcasing his batting and wicket-keeping skills in indoor nets.
After the release of the video, rumors circulated suggesting that Rishabh Pant might only play as a specialist batsman if declared fit, hinting at a potential adjustment in his role.
Talking about his health and fitness, Ganguly said, “He has done everything to get fit and that’s the reason NCA will clear him. Let Rishabh get cleared on March 5 only then we talk about captaincy backups.”
He further added, “We are taking a cautious approach with him because he has a very long career ahead of him. We don’t want to push him in excitement. We will see how Rishabh reacts. He will be joining the camp once NCA gives him the clearance. We will see match by match. We can’t predict.”
“As for wicketkeeping options, there’s Kumar Kushagra. Ricky Bhui has had a very good season. There is Shai Hope and Tristan Stubbs,” Ganguly said.
There is a strong likelihood that Abhishek Porel will continue to take on the wicketkeeping responsibilities. Delhi Capitals are scheduled to play their opening IPL 2024 match against Punjab Kings on March 23.
