Delhi Capitals' (DC) captain Rishabh Pant has made a remarkable return to competitive cricket after nearly 14 months, impressing with two half-centuries. DC's Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly has commented on Pant's potential inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad, urging fans and experts to allow him some time to play as he is making his comeback after a year.
Pant has showcased his skill effectively since returning. He scored his first fifty of the season against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), crafting a match-winning 51 off 32 balls, leading DC to a 20-run victory. In the following match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), he hit 55 off 25 balls, although DC lost by 106 runs while chasing a target of 273. In December 2022, Pant experienced a severe car accident, underwent surgery, and had a lengthy rehabilitation period at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
Before the 2024 season began, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) declared him fit as a wicket-keeper batter. Consequently, discussions about his inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad have surfaced. Pant has appeared to be in good shape, also fulfilling the wicket-keeping duties for his franchise.
"Rishabh is fully fit. His form has been fantastic. He is keeping and batting well but let him play a few matches more: If the national selectors want him, I should be able to judge in another week," Ganguly said during a press conference ahead of DC's match against MI.
Ganguly predicts a competitive game against MI
Regarding their next game against Mumbai Indians (MI), Ganguly acknowledged the quality of both teams, expecting a competitive match.
"Mumbai are a good team, we are a good team as well. We won one game against Chennai. We expect Mumbai to play well because they have been a great franchise for a long period of time. They have some quality players in their squad," Ganguly said
"But T20 is such a format that sometimes you get into this situation, where you lose a couple of games and then find a way to get back. It's going to be a good game tomorrow. We will compete, we are a good team as well, we have some quality players," he added.
DC will be facing the five-time champion MI at the Wankhede Stadium in their next match. DC aims to bounce back to winning ways after a significant defeat by KKR, while MI seeks their first win of the season. Currently, DC is in ninth place with only one win from four matches, and MI is at the bottom of the table with no wins from three matches.
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