In a recent turn of events, it has been revealed that Rishabh Pant is set to return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2024, marking his comeback after a challenging period following a car accident in December.
The 26-year-old star wicketkeeper-batter, who underwent surgery in Mumbai in February 2023, faced speculations about the end of his career due to the severity of the injury. However, Pant has defied the odds, and his remarkable recovery is reaching its final stages.
Contrary to his usual role as a wicketkeeper-batter for Delhi Capitals (DC), Pant's return is expected to see him exclusively as an Impact Player designated for his batting prowess. The decision, reported by RevSportz, reflects the cautious approach towards his rehabilitation.
🚨BREAKING
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) December 11, 2023
Delhi Capitals are gearing up to welcome back Rishabh Pant for #IPL2024 but sources have confirmed that we are likely to see the dynamic southpaw more as an impact player in the tournament.@CricSubhayan @ThumsUpOfficial #RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/1D0UIZUfFH
With Phil Salt already released before the mini-auction, DC will turn to Abishek Porel to keep wickets. However, the team is also looking for additional wicketkeeping options, a task that may not be challenging given their remaining budget of INR 28.95 crore.
Despite the modified role, there remains a possibility of Pant donning the wicketkeeping gloves if his recovery progresses seamlessly in the final stage.
IPL 2024 mini-auction to be held on December 19 in Dubai
As the anticipation builds for the IPL 2024 mini-auction on December 19 in Dubai, DC aim to make strategic acquisitions with their substantial budget. The upcoming IPL season is not only marked by Pant's comeback but also by the unique occurrence of the mini-auction being held on foreign soil, a first in the history of the IPL.
Cricket fans are eagerly anticipating this upcoming event and the return of Pant. Going forward, it'll be interesting to see how Pant adapts to his new role as an impact player in the upcoming IPL 2024.
from IPL Live Score | IPL News, IPL 2024 Updates, Squads & Results - CricTracker