IPL 2024: Rishabh Pant's disappointing comeback; scores just 18 runs for Delhi Capitals
Mullanpur (Punjab), March 23: Rishabh Pant, the skipper of Delhi Capitals (DC) and star wicketkeeper-batter, made his comeback in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match against the Punjab Kings on Saturday, but his performance fell short as he managed to score only 18 runs off 13 deliveries.
Rishabh Pant's return to the crease marked his first appearance since December 22, 2022, following a life-threatening car accident at the end of the year. Despite surviving the accident, Pant sustained serious injuries that sidelined him for IPL 2023 and India's ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign, where India finished as runners-up to Australia.
During his innings, Pant initially struggled to find his rhythm, scoring a boundary off Harshal Patel on his seventh ball. However, his attempt at a ramp shot over the keeper resulted in a soft catch to Jonny Bairstow at backward point, ending his innings prematurely.
While Pant's performance left fans wanting more, there's anticipation for more 'Pantastic' action in DC's upcoming matches, with 13 games still to be played. Whether Delhi fans will witness Pant's vintage brilliance remains to be seen.
Punjab Kings skipper Shikhar Dhawan won the toss and elected to field against Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2024 opener at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.
Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Shikhar Dhawan (c), Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (w), Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, and Shashank Singh
Delhi Capitals (Playing XI): David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Shai Hope, Rishabh Pant (w/c), Ricky Bhui, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Sumit Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, and Ishant Sharma
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