Head coach Ricky Ponting has expressed hope for Rishabh Pant's anticipated return to the Delhi Capitals (DC) for the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL).
Ponting disclosed that based on his social media posts, Pant, who hasn't been active since a vehicle accident in December 2022, appears to be making progress toward his recovery. Though it's unclear if the southpaw is ready to return to his dual roles as captain and wicketkeeper-batter, Ponting remained cautiously optimistic.
"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 said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
"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's such a dynamic player. He's obviously our captain. We missed him incredibly last year," he added.
"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," Ponting concluded.