NEW DELHI: Star wicketkeeper-batsman
Rishabh Pant
's return to IPL not only gave his team Delhi Capitals a reason to cheer but sparked excitement across franchises as he resumes competitive cricket after 15-month hiatus.
Pant will be back as Delhi Capitals skipper after missing last season and could also play for India at the
T20 World Cup
in the West Indies and United States in June.
"After undergoing an extensive 14-month rehab and recovery process, following a life-threatening road mishap... Rishabh Pant has now been declared fit," the Board of Control for Cricket in India (
BCCI
) said in a statement.
As soon as the news of Pant making a comeback gained attention, IPL teams took to their social media handles to show their excitement with unique posts.
Following the BCCI announcement, the 26-year-old posted a picture of himself on Instagram with the caption: "Keep smiling."
Pant crashed his Mercedes north of New Delhi before dawn in December 2022, suffering multiple injuries when the car rammed into a crash barrier, flipped over and caught fire.
He was rushed to hospital before being airlifted to Mumbai for further treatment and surgery.
Pant has been on an intensive rehabilitation programme since surviving the crash with a damaged ligament in his right knee, a hurt wrist and ankle, and abrasions to his back.
He was replaced as skipper of Delhi Capitals by David Warner of Australia last year.
Pant has played for India a total of 129 times in all three formats since 2017.
English (US) ·