Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra shared his views on Rishabh Pant, indicating that the India wicketkeeper-batter is set to play for the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season.
Speaking on his official YouTube channel, Chopra expressed amazement at Pant’s recovery from injury, calling it “miraculous.”
“There are reports that Rishabh Pant will be featuring in this year’s IPL, which is absolutely phenomenal. It is miraculous, considering where he came from and where he has reached,” Chopra remarked.
Chopra, 46, mentioned that he was relieved just to see Pant alive after the multiple injuries he suffered from a vehicle accident at the end of 2022.
“Cricket is just a small part of life. It’s very important, but cricket is meaningful only if there is life. The kind of accident it was, I was just relieved that he was alive. I am pretty sure he would have had to work very hard during the journey from there to here because it’s tough and extremely lonely,” he added.
The former Indian opener also predicted that the 26-year-old would play a significant role for the Delhi-based franchise in the upcoming IPL season, both as a batsman and a captain.
“He will bat and captain. With his batting prowess, he solves an important problem for the Delhi Capitals because he can bat lower down the order as, unfortunately, all their good players are top-order batters,” Chopra further stated.
Last July, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) provided a fitness update on Pant, stating that he had “started batting as well as keeping in the nets” and had made “significant progress in his rehabilitation.”
Pant has been a part of the Delhi Capitals since 2016, amassing 2,838 runs in 98 matches at an average of 34.61 and a strike rate of over 147. He has scored one century and 15 fifties during his time with the team.
