Rishabh Pant declared fit as a wicket-keeper batter for IPL 2024 after 14-month rehab: BCCI

IPL 2024: Rishab Pant will be back for Delhi Capitals in the upcoming season of the IPL after being out for 14 months due to a serious car accident. Could he make the cut for India in the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled for June 2024?

Rishabh Pant, who was involved in a major car accident in December 2022, has been declared fit for the upcoming Indian Premier League 2024 season after the Board of Control for Cricket in India gave him the nod on March 12 (Tuesday). On X platform, BCCI stated,  "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."

Pant, who has been undergoing rehab for 14 months, has already been hitting the nets ahead of the new IPL season and has now officially received the green light to join his franchise team the Delhi Capitals. Pant had suffered a near-fatal car crash on an early morning in December 2022, which ruled him out of competitive cricket ever since then. The wicket-keeper batter started to play cricket a couple of months ago and joined the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru (NCA) to work towards regaining his fitness to be available for IPL.

A BCCI press release read, "After undergoing an extensive 14-month rehab and recovery process, following a life-threatening road mishap on December 30th, 2022, near Roorkee, Uttarakhand, Rishabh Pant has now been declared fit as a wicket-keeper batter for the upcoming TATA IPL 2024."

Fast bowlers Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Shami have been ruled out of IPL 2024, said BCCI.

"Prasidh Krishna underwent surgery on February 23, 2024, on his left proximal quadriceps tendon. He is currently being monitored by the BCCI Medical Team and will resume rehab at the National Cricket Academy soon. He will not be able to take part in the upcoming TATA IPL 2024. Mohammed Shami successfully underwent surgery on February 26, 2024, for his right heel problem. He is currently being monitored by the BCCI medical team and is ruled out of the upcoming TATA IPL 2024," said BCCI Secretary Jay Shah.

Smaller role?

Multiple reports suggest DC might use Pant as an "Impact Player", whereby he could be utilised just for one facet of his game; his batting. However, the IPL side has yet to confirm the same.

The IPL 2024 season begins on March 22, with defending champions Chennai Super Kings hosting the Royal Challengers Bangalore at their home ground Chepauk.