Image Credit- PTI
The comeback of
Rishabh Pant, who survived a car tragedy in December 2022, will be the main
plot point leading up to the opening day match of the 2024 Indian Premier
League. After undergoing three ligament reconstructions in his right knee, he
informed his doctors that he would heal six months sooner than anticipated,
began using crutches to speed up his recovery, and is now just hours away from
taking the pitch as the captain of the Delhi Capitals on Saturday.
Whether he can
rapidly determine his match fitness is the question. Coming back from what he
has is never easy, even though Pant participated in multiple practice matches
at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru before to receiving
permission to play in the IPL. Is he able to play with the same recklessness
that has characterised his career? While Saturday won’t have all the answers,
it might pave the way for an incredible return.
It’s the Punjab
Kings’ first game at their brand-new Mullanpur home base. In its six IPL 2023
games, the Kings only managed one victory in their old home venue, the IS
Bindra Stadium in Mohali. The Capitals have defeated the Kings in fifteen of
the thirty-two games they have played overall, but in the past two years, they
have won five of six.
The lack of a power
batter in the lower order outside from Jitesh Sharma was a vulnerability for
the Kings last year, despite the fact that Jonny Bairstow, who missed the IPL
2023 due to an injury, has returned to bolster their top order. Ashutosh Sharma
or Shashank Singh, who are both powerful hitters with a propensity for smashing
sixes, can be used to fill the void.
Pant is expected to start as wicketkeeper on match night, based on his training
session. Between Jake Fraser-McGurk and Tristan Stubbs, who proved his mettle
as a finisher in the SA20, there’s probably a tie. Anrich Nortje, who is still
in South Africa, will also be absent for the Capitals.