Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting stated that Rishabh Pant is ‘very assured’ of that includes for the franchise within the 2024 version of Indian Premier League, because the wicketkeeper batter makes his comeback from a horrific accident in December 2022. However the former Australian captain added that he wasn’t solely positive if Pant will be capable of maintain wickets, and that if they can handle him via the match, no matter they get from him will likely be a bonus.
“Rishabh could be very assured that he’s going to be proper to play,” Ponting stated on Wednesday to reporters after being unveiled as MLC franchise Washington Freedom’s coach. “In what capability we’re not fairly positive but. You’ll have seen all of the social-media stuff, he’s up and about and working properly. However in saying that, we’re solely six weeks away from the primary recreation as properly. So we’re unsure if we’ll get wicketkeeping out of him this yr. However I’ll assure if I requested him now he’ll say, ‘I’m taking part in each recreation, I’m preserving each recreation and I’m batting at No.4.’ That’s simply what he’s like, however we’ll maintain our fingers crossed.”
Pant was missed in 2023, Ponting stated, as DC struggled all through the season and completed one place off the underside of the desk. The left-hander has since spoken about how lucky he’s to have a second probability at life.
“He’s such a dynamic participant. He’s clearly our captain. We missed him extremely final yr,” Ponting stated. “For those who perceive the journey he’s been on the final 12-13 months, it was a horrific incident. One which I do know he feels very fortunate to have even survived, not to mention have the possibility to play cricket once more.
“We’ll simply maintain our fingers crossed and hope that he may be on the market and play. Even when it’s not all of the video games, if we are able to handle him via 10 of the 14 video games or no matter that is perhaps, then no matter video games you may get out of him will likely be a bonus.”
In an interview that aired just lately with broadcaster Star Sports activities, titled ‘Consider: To Demise and Again’, Pant had stated there was a risk of amputation however he’s fortunate to be nonetheless alive.
“If there was any nerve injury, there was a risk of amputation. That’s once I felt scared,” Pant had stated.
The Delhi dasher additionally spoke about discovering the enjoyment in little issues. “I didn’t assume I’d ever get pleasure from brushing my tooth. The primary time I took a shower, I didn’t really feel like popping out. These small issues gave me pleasure as a result of I’m lucky to have a second life. Not everyone seems to be lucky sufficient to get it.
“Docs additionally stated that there was no fracture after the accident. Sure, my knee damage was main, however this might have been so massive, that none of us can know. They at all times inform me I’m fortunate. After all, it was such a horrific accident, the person feels unhealthy that this occurred to me. How can I be fortunate? However the different aspect is that regardless of the crash, I used to be alive.”
Pant has since been concerned in DC’s planning for the 2024 version and was seen on the franchise’s public sale desk in Dubai in December. Delhi will likely be hoping his return will bolster a batting unit that struggled final yr.
“Our batting was disappointing final yr,” Ponting stated. “Our Indiam batting, to be sincere. Lots of the blokes that we felt would be capable of deal with tough circumstances in Delhi, a spinning wicket a variety of the time, we weren’t adequate in these circumstances. We’ve received some challenges with our dwelling venue to be sincere.”
Ponting additionally identified to the truth that not being positive precisely what kind of wicket they had been going to get in Delhi for the house matches didn’t assist the aspect.
“So that you’d go to the public sale anticipating you’re going to get one [type] of floor and also you rock up for 5 video games, seven video games there and also you get 5 totally different pitches in order that does make it onerous,” the Aussie legend defined.
“However we undoubtedly lacked on batting high quality final yr, which is what we’ve tried to enhance on this yr. We’ve gone to the properly with a few actually extremely gifted younger Indian gamers that we predict which can be able to play immediately. That’s the factor in regards to the IPL, it’s one yr to the massive public sale so it’s not like you possibly can actually make investments an excessive amount of in these younger blokes and hope to enhance them in a single day. You’ve received to get the very best expertise on the market that you simply assume’s able to play. And we’ve received a number of of these this yr.”