The National Cricket Academy (NCA) is set to declare star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant fully fit on March 5, making his eagerly awaited comeback to competitive cricket.
This vital information about Pant's return was revealed by Sourav Ganguly, the director of cricket for the Delhi Capitals and a former captain of India.
Ganguly reaffirmed his belief in Pant's physical condition while highlighting the intense work Pant has put in to get back in shape following n unprecedented absence brought on by a serious accident.
He has done everything to get fit and that’s the reason NCA will clear him.
~informed Ganguly to TOI
Let Rishabh get cleared on March 5, only then we’ll talk about captaincy backups. We are taking a cautious approach with him because he has a very long career ahead of him. We don’t want to push him in excitement. We will see how Rishabh reacts. He will be joining the camp once NCA gives him the clearance. We will see match by match. We can’t predict.
~When asked if he would lead the side, Ganguly added
As for wicketkeeping options, there’s Kumar Kushagra. Ricky Bhui has had a very good season. There is Shai Hope and Tristan Stubbs. Rishabh coming back fit is a huge addition for us. We hope he plays the full season because he is a very special player. We have worked on some domestic players who have done well in all formats, but Rishabh is very important.
With Pant's imminent return, Delhi Capitals eagerly anticipate his participation for the entire IPL season, recognizing his exceptional talent and value to the team's success.
David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (c), Kumar Kushagra (wk), Harry Brook, Axar Patel, Lalit Yadav/Mukesh Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Anrich Nortje, Ishant Sharma.