IPL 2024: Pant makes 'emotional' comeback but can't prevent Delhi defeat against Punjab

Rishabh Pant made a "really emotional" comeback to top-level cricket after more than a year out but could not prevent a four-wicket Delhi Capitals' defeat to Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League on Saturday.

India's wicketkeeper batsman last played competitive cricket 453 days ago after he suffered a horror car crash in December 2022.

"Really emotional time for me," Pant said at the toss. "Just want to enjoy the moment."

Pant crashed his Mercedes SUV near New Delhi, suffering several serious injuries when the car hit a crash barrier, flipped over and caught fire.

Pant has undergone intensive rehabilitation since the smash left him with a damaged ligament in his right knee, wrist and ankle injuries and abrasions to his back.

In Pant's absence, Australia's David Warner stepped in to skipper Delhi, who finished ninth in the 10-team league last season.

At the Maharaja Yadvindra Singh Stadium on Saturday, Punjab skipper Shikhar Dhawan won the toss and decided to put the visitors in to bat first.

Pant, 26, got a standing ovation as he strode out to the middle after the fall of opener Warner for 29.

He hit a flowing cover drive for a boundary to begin his innings before a slower delivery from Harshal Patel got him caught at backward point for 18 off 13 balls while attempting a ramp shot.

Punjab kept down Delhi to 174-9 with Arshdeep Singh and fellow medium-pace bowler Patel taking two wickets each.

Chasing 175 for victory, Punjab rode on England all-rounder Sam Curran's 47-ball 63 to achieve their target with four wickets and four balls to spare at IPL's newest venue at Mullanpur in the northern Indian state of Punjab.

Skipper Shikhar Dhawan was bowled by fast bowler Ishant Sharma after a brisk start of 22.

England's Jonny