(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Former Australia captain and current Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach, Ricky Ponting, expressed optimism about Rishabh Pant’s eagerly awaited return in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Pant’s absence in the 2023 season, due to an unfortunate car accident in December 2022, left a significant void in the Delhi-based team’s lineup. They struggled to find their rhythm, finishing nine on the points table with five wins and nine losses in the previous edition of the tournament.
However, Ponting believes that this time around, Delhi Capitals are poised for a resurgence with their skipper Pant back in action, a sentiment he confirmed on Wednesday. Nevertheless, whether Pant will resume wicket-keeping duties or not remains uncertain at this juncture.
“Rishabh is very confident that he’s going to be right to play. In what capacity we’re not quite sure yet. You would have seen all the social-media stuff, he’s up and about and running well. But in saying that we’re only six weeks away from the first game as well. So we’re not sure if we’ll get wicketkeeping out of him this year,” Ponting remarked.
“But I’ll guarantee if I asked him now he’ll say, ‘I’m playing every game, I’m keeping every game and I’m batting at No.4.’ That’s just what he’s like, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed,” he added.
Pant’s absence was keenly felt last year, and Ponting highlighted the challenging journey the star player endured in the past 12-13 months after a harrowing incident.
“He’s such a dynamic player. He’s obviously our captain. We missed him incredibly last year. If you understand the journey he’s been on the last 12-13 months, it was a horrific incident. One that I know he feels very lucky to have even survived, let alone have the chance to play cricket again.”
Ponting further addressed contingency plans, stating that David Warner will continue as captain if Pant is not ready to lead the team.
“We’ll just keep our fingers crossed and hope that he can be out there and play. Even if it’s not all the games, if we can manage him through 10 of the 14 games or whatever that might be then whatever games you can get out of him will be a bonus,” said Ponting.