Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant received a rousing reception from the spectators at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh as he returned to professional cricket after 453 days.
The wicketkeeper batter stepped onto the field after Delhi Capitals lost the wicket of David Warner to Punjab Kings fast bowler Harshal Patel on the final delivery of the eighth over. As Pant walked out to bat in the ninth over, he received a standing ovation from the fans, acknowledging his recovery after the horrific car crash on December 30, 2022.
“Look who is out in the middle to bat đź’™,” IPL captioned the video on X.
Look who is out in the middle to bat đź’™
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/ZhjY0W03bC #TATAIPL | #PBKSvDC | @DelhiCapitals | @RishabhPant17 pic.twitter.com/YdRt1lh6be
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 23, 2024
Pant had received the clearance from the Board of Control For Cricket in India (BCCI) for his comeback. He underwent knee surgery for the ligament tear that he sustained during the accident and later was recovering at NCA.
“After undergoing an extensive 14-month rehab and recovery process, following a life-threatening road mishap on December 30th, 2022, @RishabhPant17 has now been declared fit as a wicket-keeper batter for the upcoming #TATA @IPL 2024,” the BCCI said in a statement.
Pant was a part of the Delhi Capitals table in the last auction. He missed the last IPL, World Cup, and a few matches in the World Test Championship. Veteran Australia opener David Warner was named as the captain of Delhi Capitals in Pant’s absence.
Delhi Capitals had a forgettable run in IPL 2023. They finished at the second last spot, winning only five games. Pant has been a part of the franchise since 2016. He has featured in 98 matches, scoring 2838 runs at an average of 34.61 with one century and 15 half-centuries to his name.