BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has suggested that Rishabh Pant may be considered for India’s plans in the forthcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies provided he can resume his wicket-keeping duties.
Pant, a left-handed wicketkeeper-batter, has not played competitive cricket since surviving a near-fatal vehicle accident on December 30, 2022, on his way to Roorkee, his hometown. In Pant’s absence, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, and Jitesh Sharma have emerged as India’s shortest-format wicketkeepers.
Pant had ligament reconstruction surgery on his right knee, in addition to injuries to his ankle, wrist, and toe, as well as abrasions on his back and two wounds on his forehead. He underwent significant rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and is slated to make his long-awaited competitive cricket return with the Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2024 season, which begins on March 22.
“He is batting well; he is keeping well. We will declare him fit very soon. If he can play in the T20 World Cup for us, that will be a big thing for us. He is a big asset for us. If he can keep, he can play in the World Cup. Let’s see how he does in the IPL,” Shah told reporters in Dharamshala after India won the Test series against England 4-1.
