IPL 2024: Rishabh Pant will Lead Delhi Capitals & will Play as Pure Batter During 1st half, Confirms Co-Owner

Rishabh Pant is back in form -

Parth Jindal, co-owner of the Delhi Capitals, stated that star wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant will lead the team in the IPL 2024, but will not keep wickets during the first half of the season, which consists of seven games. Parth reported that Pant has begun wicketkeeping drills and is actively participating in batting and running practices.

Rishabh is batting. He's running. He has started his wicketkeeping. He is likely to be fully fit for the IPL. I am expecting Rishabh to play IPL and he will lead from match one. First seven games, we are going to play him only as a batter, and depending on how his body reacts, we will take a call for the rest of the IPL
~Jindal said while speaking to ESPN Cricinfo

Pant has made remarkable improvement from a possibly deadly injury in December 2022. The youngster had a few practice games in Alur and posted an Instagram video showing his goalkeeping. Pant's comeback will greatly aid the Capitals.

Andre Nortje is back in the team -

Andre Nortje has missed several recent matches owing to a back issue, but Jindal believes the Proteas bowler is ready for their opening encounter. Nortje has been a reliable fixture of the Capitals' squad since signing in 2020. He has 53 wickets for the franchise, with 22 in the 2020 season at 23.27. Nonetheless, Nortje missed important competitions including as the 2023 World Cup, SA20, and a multi-format series against India.

He's fit. Right now, he is bowing at 80% intensity. Next week, he will bowl at 100%. He's going to make his comeback in the IPL. He is going to join our camp and should be good to go for our first game
~Jindal added

Delhi team looks quite confident -

Jindal also proposed that Harry Brook could play an all-rounder inning as he can bat in the lower middle order (at number six) and could also provide support with the ball. The Capitals' co-owner seems happy with Tristan Stubbs' strong SA20 season and Mitchell Marsh's appointment as Australia's T20 captain.

We feel very confident, the balance of the team is a lot better with Rishabh coming back in. We have a very good squad and a lot of options with players like Tristan Stubbs, who had a phenomenal SA20 (with SA20 2024 champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape), and Mitch Marsh becoming captain of Australia's T20I team.