PBKS vs DC, IPL 2024: Rishabh Pant with brisk cameo on injury return

IPL 2024: During his knock of 18 runs off 13 balls, Pant looked fluent, scoring two fours, including a flowing cover-drive. He was eventually dismissed by a slower short delivery from Harshal Patel.

Delhi Capitals’ captain Rishabh Pant plays a shot. | Photo Credit: AP

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant marked his return to competitive cricket with a 13-ball 18 for Delhi Capitals against Punjab Kings in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Maharaha Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Saturday.

Pant looked fluent during his brief knock, scoring two fours, including a flowing cover-drive. He was eventually dismissed by a slower short delivery from Harshal Patel, who had earlier dropped the Delhi Capitals skipper in the match.

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Pant, who suffered a horrific car crash in December 2022, was playing his first match since India’s Test series in Bangladesh in December 2022.

“Really emotional time for me. Just want to enjoy the moment. Not thinking much. I think not worried about last season. Really exciting times. We have been preparing well,” said Pant after the toss on Saturday.

Pant though was unfazed during his short time in the crease, and even attempted a reverse-sweep early on. The left-handed batter also looked at ease while running between the wickets, adding two doubles in Harshal’s over before being dismissed.

The 26-year-old was also sharp behind the stumps as wicketkeeper. He got Jitesh Sharma stumped off the bowling of Kuldeep Yadav as the batter missed a reverse-sweep. Pant was quick in collecting the ball and pushing the ball into the stumps as Jitesh was caught mid-air while trying to make his ground.