Rishabh Pant Says He's "Coming To Play" Ahead Of IPL 2023. There's A Twist

30.03.2023 - 03:07 sports.ndtv.com

A horrific accident in December, 2022, has forced Rishabh Pant out of action for quite sometime now. In the early hours of December 30, 2022, Pant, 25, miraculously survived after his Mercedes car collided with a divider and caught fire on the Delhi-Dehradun highway while he was on the way to his hometown Roorkee.

The star India wicketkeeper-batter has started his rehab process, and recently shared videos of him walking again. His absence means that Delhi Capitals will be missing a very impactful player when they begin their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 campaign against the KL Rahul-led Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday.

In a promotional video, which has been doing the rounds on social media, Pant on Wednesday said "if everyone is playing, why not me?

I am still in the game boss! I am coming to play". It's an advertisement for a food delivery app, but it got the internet buzzing. "Cricket and food.

cricket Lucknow Super Giants Rishabh Pant India Delhi New Delhi

Delhi Capitals (DC) occupy the bottom spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 points after failing to register a win in their first four games of the season so far. Nothing is going right for the David Warner-led side and the team's think-tank is struggling to stem the rot that has set in. On Saturday, DC need to fire as a unit if they have to effect a turnaround as they gear up to clash with Royal Challengers Bangalore at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

"I Have Been Chatting With Rishabh...": Nicholas Pooran On India Star's Road To Recovery

Having suffered a horrific car accident himself, West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran knows what Rishabh Pant is going through at the moment. India's star cricketer Pant suffered multiple injuries when his car collided with a divider on the Delhi-Dehradun highway last December. Pooran himself was hospitalised more than eight years ago after suffering a car accident. It took him six months to start walking again. The West Indian said he is in touch with Pant, who will be out of action for a long time.

Rishabh Pant Is Back! Delhi Capitals Star Attends Practice Ahead Of IPL 2023 Clash vs Royal Challengers Bangalore - See Pic

Rishabh Pant attended Delhi Capitals' practice at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru ahead of their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 encounter against Royal Challengers Bangalore and the picture has already gone viral on social media. In the picture, Pant could be seen having a chat with Axar Patel at the sidelines. Pant was ruled out of the tournament due to injures he suffered in a car accident and the wicket-keeper batsman was replaced by David Warner as the skipper of the franchise. Ahead of the tournament, head coach Ricky Ponting made it clear that Pant will still be a big part of the side and the team even had his jersey on top of the dugout as a show of respect.

IPL 2023: Sunil Gavaskar Underlines 'Biggest Problem' For Rohit Sharma's MI

Batting great Sunil Gavaskar feels the lack of partnerships, especially between openers Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan, is hurting five-time winners Mumbai Indians in the ongoing IPL. MI suffered reverses in their first two outings of the 16th Indian Premier League, losing to Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore with both Rohit and Ishan failing to deliver. Speaking to Star Sports, Gavaskar said, "MI's biggest problem since last season till date has been the lack of partnerships. Unless you have big partnerships, it is difficult for you to score big.

"Will Definitely Be There": Ricky Ponting Backs Under-Fire India Star For World Cup Spot

Australia legend Ricky Ponting believes India will have space for both KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan in their World Cup squad, adding that Kishan appears to be a necessary option given he is a left-handed batter. There was speculation about who'd take gloves for Team India after star keeper Rishabh Pant's unfortunate accident ruled him out of cricketing action for several months. "Look, I do think they'll stick with him. I think in their World Cup squad, KL will definitely be there," Ponting said in the latest episode of ICC Review.

'One-Handed Six I Hit Was For Him': Delhi Capitals Star's Unique Gesture For Rishabh Pant

Following his side's first home game at Arun Jaitley Stadium in four years, Delhi Capitals vice-captain Axar Patel said that he told the team's regular skipper Rishabh Pant, currently recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident last year, that the one-handed-six he hit was for him and it was great to meet the wicketkeeper-batter in the dressing room. Axar also expressed hope that Pant recovers soon so that they can both hit one-handed shots together.