It wasn't the fairytale return for Rishabh Pant, who made his comeback after a long 14-month absence in the Delhi Capitals (DC) versus Punjab Kings (PBKS) clash at the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Delhi Capitals captain got a lifeline earlier in the match, when Harshal Patel dropped a simple catch at deep square leg. However, he couldn't capitalise on the opportunity and was dismissed for a meager 18 runs off 13 deliveries by Patel.
This marked Pant's first IPL match since the 2022 season and his first appearance in any format since a horrific car accident in December 2022 sidelined him for over a year. Before his dismissal at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium, Pant managed two boundaries and showed glimpses of his usual attacking style. However, Harshal Patel's outside-off, short-pitched delivery ended his innings.
Pant was visibly upset after throwing away his wicket and was seen banging the ground with his bat in disappointment.
This is how Rishabh Pant reacted after losing his wicket
After a grueling 454 days away from the game, Pant made a triumphant return to cricket. A horrific car accident in December 2022 left him with serious injuries, even raising concerns about his ability to walk again. But in a remarkable display of resilience, Pant defied expectations with a speedy recovery, putting him back on the field much sooner than anticipated.
Rishabh Pant shows glimpses of his old attacking self
Rishabh Pant's dismissal wasn't a clean one. As he attempted to defend a short ball from Patel, the leading edge sent the ball looping towards Jonny Bairstow, who completed the catch. The frustration was evident as Pant slammed his bat in anger. Despite the low score, there were positive signs for Pant's future. His movement against the spinners, a key part of his game, looked good. He even came down the track and attempted his signature attacking shots. While 18 runs may not be ideal, it suggests promise for his return to form. Understandably, there were initial jitters after such a long absence. Now, all eyes are on how he performs behind the stumps in the second innings. This will be a crucial test of his physical recovery and ability to handle the demanding task of wicketkeeping.
DC ended up posting 174/9 riding on Abishek Porel's fiery 10-ball 32 despite their patchy start.
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