Rishabh Pant was out of action for around 15 months after surviving a horrific car accident that led to multiple injuries. He missed the World Test Championship final, the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the ODI World Cup, and the India-England Test series, among other tournaments.
The wicketkeeper-batter's return to the IPL for the 2024 edition will light up the league. His comeback to the sport is nothing short of miraculous, given the nature of injuries he sustained. The doctors had even contemplated amputation in the initial stages of his treatment. Rishabh Pant had three knee ligament constructions and skin grafts on his back and thighs, stitches, therapy and rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy for several months to be match fit.
The left-hander will add firepower to the Delhi Capitals (DC), and a good show in the league may lead to selection in the T20 World Cup.
Jasprit Bumrah and Shreyas Iyer eye injury-free season
Mumbai Indians (MI) pacer Jasprit Bumrah will return to the IPL after missing the last season due to a back injury. The right-arm fast bowler will start the season in peak form, as he claimed 19 wickets in the four-Test series against England at an average of 16.89.
Bumrah has been a strong force behind all of MI's title wins in recent years. He picked up 20 wickets in 2017, 19 in 2019 and 27 in 2020.
A back surgery forced Shreyas Iyer to miss the entire IPL last year. Nitish Rana filled in as captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders in his absence. The right-hander will be keen to re-establish himself in the 2023 edition, especially after losing the BCCI central contract recently.
Iyer came out strong from the injury and shone in the World Cup with 530 runs, including two hundreds.
The back spasms resurfaced after his gritty knock of 95 for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha. To stand out in the crowd, Iyer has to manage his body amid the rigours of the season.
Return of the Aussie duo: Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins
Australia fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins are the most expensive players in the history of the IPL, with Rs 24.75 crore and Rs 20.50 crore, respectively.
Starc is returning to the league after missing eight seasons in between, while Cummins will be back after skipping last year.
Left-arm pacer Starc will spearhead the bowling attack of KKR. Earlier, in 2014 and 2015, he represented Royal Challengers Bangalore under the leadership of Virat Kohli.
New Zealand's Kane Williamson and England's Jonny Bairstow are back for the season, too.
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