IPL 2024 News: The BCCI on Tuesday declared Rishabh Pant fit as both batter and wicketkeeper. The announcement confirms the comeback of Pant in IPL 17 this year. The BCCI announcement paves way for Pant’s Delhi Capitals’ captaincy. There have been reports on how DC management has been waiting for Pant’s return. However, no official announcement was made since the fitness of the cricketer was still in question. Pant, 26, had met with a horrific car crash in December, 2022. The near-death accident had put Pant out of game and forced him to miss several key cricket events including ICC World Cup 2023. Many were skeptical about Pant walking again leave alone play cricket. But Pant has proven every detractor wrong.

This year, Delhi Capitals will open the tournament with the faceoff with Punjab Kings on March 23 in Punjab’s Mohali. In a post on X, the BCCI said that Pant has been recovering under a stringent 14-month rehabilitation programme.

While many are hoping for Pant to lead the squad, the exact role of the cricketer is yet to be decided. On Monday, DC’s Head Coach Ricky Ponting said that a lot will depend on Pant’s fitness level and how well his body takes the stress of IPL. Last year, David Warner had led the team. DC finished at the bottom of the IPL Points Table with just five victories in 14 matches.

Rishabh Pant’s 2022 car accident

Rishabh Pant’s vehicle was involved in an accident on the way back from Delhi, occurring at the Narsan border of Roorkee near Hammadpur Jhal. According to witnesses, his car collided with a railing and subsequently caught fire. Efforts were made to contain the fire, which proved challenging. Pant, who sustained severe injuries in the accident, was promptly transported to Saksham Hospital on Delhi Road.

The collision resulted in the total destruction of Pant’s car, which was engulfed in flames following the incident.

Pant was the sole occupant of the vehicle at the time of the accident, and Uttarakhand Police Director General Ashok Kumar reported that he had to break the windscreen to escape from the burning vehicle. Pant sustained injuries to his head, knee, and shin as a result of the ordeal.