Rishabh Pant's return to competitive cricket in around 14 months of a horrific car accident is not short of any miracle. It is a story of sheer will and dedication to rise above all adversity. Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting spoke about his first meeting with Pant after that accident and said he thought he would not ever play the game of cricket again.
Ricky Ponting on Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant is all set to make his much-awaited return to the Indian cricket team with the upcoming edition of the T20 World Cup 2024 after good performance in the Indian Premier League. Ricky Ponting revealed how Pant was confident about this comeback despite being on crutches.
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"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. 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 told The ICC Review.
Ponting on Pant's wicket-keeping load
Ricky Ponting revealed that he was more worried about the wicket-keeping role of Rishabh Pant rather than his batting. However, Pant finished with 16 dismissal this season, joint-most by a wicket-keeper in IPL 2024.
"No one had real concerns about his batting, because of how good he is and how dynamic he is with the bat. But with his wicket-keeping, and having to squat every ball for 14 games in a row, there were certainly some concerns there," said Ponting.
Ponting also praised his comeback in the Indian team and said he believed that he would be one of the very first picks.
"I was asked when I was over there what I thought about him. He'd been picked in the Indian squad, and I basically said he'd be one of the first players picked, and sure enough he was. So, great to see him back out there playing again. 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," he concluded.
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