Former Australian captain Michael Clarke, along with a majority of the cricket community, is eager to witness the return of wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant to the Indian cricket team as soon as possible.
Pant, who endured severe injuries from a nearly fatal car accident in December 2022, marked his comeback to competitive cricket during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, leading the Delhi Capitals as their captain.
His absence was keenly felt by both his IPL franchise and the national team during significant events such as the World Test Championship Final and the 2023 ODI World Cup.
With the T20 World Cup 2024 approaching in June, Pant’s availability will be a significant advantage for India. Initial concerns about his ability to perform as a wicketkeeper and captain have been dispelled as he has demonstrated his capabilities admirably. Pant showcased his batting prowess with consecutive half-centuries in recent IPL matches against Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring 51 off 32 balls against CSK and 52 off 25 balls against KKR.
Following his impressive performance against KKR, former Australian cricketer Clarke commended Pant’s dedication to returning to the field after injury. Clarke emphasized the hard work Pant has put into his rehabilitation, expressing delight at seeing him back in action, leading, and performing well both with the bat and behind the stumps.
Despite some concerns about his fitness during the recent match, Clarke expressed optimism about Pant’s recovery for Delhi Capitals’ upcoming fixtures. He also echoed the sentiments of many cricket enthusiasts, expressing a desire to see Pant return to international cricket soon.
The competition for the wicketkeeping position in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 will be intense, with several contenders vying for selection. Alongside Pant, players like Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma, Dhruv Jurel, Ishan Kishan, and KL Rahul are in contention. While Pant has shown promise, consistency and remaining injury-free will be crucial for him to secure his place as India’s wicketkeeper for the tournament.
