By Rishabh Pant has received clearance from BCCI’s medical team to participate in IPL 2024, as confirmed by the board through a media release. Pant, who suffered multiple injuries in a car accident in December 2022, underwent a 14-month rehabilitation program prescribed by the National Cricket Academy. The board declared him fit to play as a ‘wicket-keeper batter’ for the upcoming season.
However, it remains to be seen if Pant will start as the wicket-keeper for Delhi Capitals, whom he is expected to lead, taking over from David Warner. Warner stepped up as captain in Pant’s absence last year. This season will mark Pant’s return to competitive cricket, his last appearance being in the two-Test series against Bangladesh at the end of 2022 before his accident.
On the other hand, fast bowler Prasidh Krishna has been ruled out of the tournament due to a surgical procedure on his left proximal quadriceps tendon. This will be the second consecutive IPL season that the 28-year-old will miss for the Rajasthan Royals, following a lumbar stress fracture that sidelined him last year. Krishna had recovered from that injury and made his Test debut during the South Africa tour before being sidelined again during the early stages of the Ranji Trophy.
In other news, Mohammed Shami of Gujarat Titans will also miss the entire tournament due to surgery on his right heel. The pace ace will be monitored by the board’s medical team as India prepares for the T20 World Cup immediately after the IPL. The Rajasthan Royals have strengthened their Indian fast bowling unit by trading in Avesh Khan from Lucknow Super Giants, with batter Devdutt Padikkal going the other way.
