Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach Ricky Ponting has backed Rishabh Pant to have a huge impact in the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA in June. Ricky Ponting praised Rishabh Pant for making an impressive return to cricket after a serious car accident, describing it as “nothing short of spectacular.”
Rishabh Pant made a remarkable comeback in competitive cricket during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. The left-handed batter amassed 446 runs at an impressive average of 40.54 and a strike rate of 155.4. The DC skipper silenced doubts about his wicket-keeping with 16 dismissals behind the stumps.
The 26-year-old batter recovered from severe injuries in a major accident in December 2022. The wicketkeeper-batter returned to professional cricket after a 15-month absence. Rishabh Pant also secured his position as one of the two wicketkeeper-batters for the Indian cricket team in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Noting Short Of Spectacular – Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting revealed that he initially doubted Rishabh Pant’s return to cricket due to the psychological and physical challenges he faced after the accident. Ponting stated that he feared Pant might never play again, noting that he couldn’t walk a few months after the accident.
“It’s been nothing short of spectacular, to be honest. I spent a few months with him in the middle of the IPL last year, which was only sort of three or four months after his accident. And I had grave fears then that he would never play the game again. What he’d been through psychologically, but what he’d been through physically. At that stage, he still couldn’t walk,” Ponting told The ICC Review.
The Delhi Capitals Franchise Has Done A Great Job – Ricky Ponting
The former Australian captain praised the efforts of the Delhi Capitals franchise and his physio, Patrick Farhart, in Rishabh Pant’s rehabilitation. Ponting stated that Pant assured him of his return for the IPL 2024 season, despite being on crutches.
“He was on crutches. And I remember saying to him, what do you think about next season? He just looked at me and said, don’t worry, I’ll be right. And he’s looked after himself incredibly well. The Delhi Capitals franchise has done a great job looking after him. Patrick Farhart has been his physio. He’s done a great job with him as well,” Ponting added.
I’ve Enjoyed Every Moment – Ricky Ponting
The 49-year-old stated that he’s enjoyed every moment of working with Rishabh Pant. Ricky Ponting hoped that the young cricketer would make a significant impact in the World Cup.
“I’ve enjoyed every moment of working with him. Obviously, he’s been the captain of the Delhi Capitals, and I’ve been the coach there. But it’s been a remarkable comeback, and hopefully he has a huge impact on this World Cup,” Ponting concluded.
Rishabh Pant faces competition from Sanju Samson for the playing XI in earlier World Cup matches. Sanju Samson was the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded IPL tournament. Samson scored 531 runs in 15 innings at an impressive average of 48.27 and a strike rate of 153.46, including five half-centuries.
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