The first few days in the IPL are set to see Rishabh Pant make a comeback to competitive cricket action after 14 months.
New Delhi: Rishabh Pant’s return to competitive cricket through the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League which starts from March 22, is the biggest talk of the town. There are also talks about his availability of the Men’s T20 World Cup, which happening later in June this year if the wicket-keeper batter performs well.
The first few days in the IPL are set to see Rishabh Pant make a comeback to competitive cricket action after 14 months of being on a recovery route from multiple injuries suffered in a life-threatening car accident in December 2022.
The BCCI has declared him fit as a wicketkeeper-batter for this IPL, where he will be captaining Delhi Capitals, in what is clearly a remarkable recovery. Former India fast-bowler S Sreesanth, a member of 2007 T20 World Cup winning team, speaks exclusively to IANS on Pant’s return, the narratives of India’s squad selection in IPL 2024, key pointers emerging in the build-up to the tournament, and more.
Q. One of the biggest talking points of IPL 2024 is Rishabh Pant’s long-awaited return. Last year in March, you did meet him during his recovery period. What are you anticipating on his return to the game after being totally fit to play in the tournament?
A. I did meet him last year alongside Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh, and the biggest quality I could see was that he was very much focused and clear in his mindset in recovery. He said at that time, ‘Sree bhai, medical science is saying 18 months to two years, but I will be back ASAP’.
He worked very hard and huge credit goes to everyone at the National Cricket Academy and BCCI for supporting him. He just showed the world about not giving up and that sky’s the limit if you keep working hard.
Plus, he has been inspiring others and hasn’t looked for sympathy; even his social media posts, where he’s working very hard, has looked genuine. He’s worked extremely hard as it hasn’t been easy, so it will make for a brilliant story if he can score runs.
Q. As a follow-up to Pant’s return, what are the things with respect to India’s T20 World Cup selection that you are keeping an eye out for in IPL 2024?
A. Everybody is talking about Rishabh Pant making a comeback and even with the Board declaring him fit means it makes for an interesting story. But I would like to see Sanju Samson making a comeback as to be honest, it’s high time that he scores some runs, not just because I am from Kerala state, but I met him during an interaction and he himself is looking forward to a fruitful season.
So, I would like to see him score heavy runs this season and if he makes it to the T20 World Cup squad, it will make for a great story. I was fortunate to be a part of the 2007 T20 World Cup winning team and I feel the 2024 IPL is the right platform for India to get ready for that tournament and win it. I am keeping my fingers crossed that with good IPL preparation, India gets to win the T20 World Cup.
I would also say that KL Rahul has to step up and make runs. I genuinely wish to see him opening the batting for LSG. It’s not going to be that easy, but when it comes to leadership quality, KL Rahul knows how to stand up and show that hard work pays off. I genuinely wish to see people who perform well and deserve that get into the T20 World Cup squad, rather than the big names. With Pant, Samson, and even Dhruv Jurel, it will be interesting to see who makes the cut.