Indian Cricket Board clears Rishabh Pant to keep wickets for Delhi in Ind T20 League 2024

The Indian Cricket Board Fitness and Medical Units have cleared Rishabh Pant to keep wickets for Delhi in the upcoming season of the Indian T20 League. Pacers Mohammad Shami and Prasidh Krishna, however, have both been ruled out of the tournament. 

There is still no update on KL Rahul’s availability. The Lucknow skipper hasn’t played a game since the opening Test against England in January due to a quadricep tendon injury. 

The Indian Cricket Board also stated that Prasidh, who had undergone surgery on February 23 on his left proximal quadriceps tendon, is set to commence his recovery at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. For Shami, who recently had surgery for a heel issue, no return date is set. The Indian Cricket Board’s medical staff is keeping a track of his progress. 

The update on India’s wicket keeper batter came only a day after Indian Cricket Board secretary Jay Shah had addressed the media stating Pant was “batting well and keeping well” and could be in hunt for a place in India’s squad for the T20 World Series in June. 

“If he can play the T20 World Series for us, that will be a big thing for us. He is a big asset for us," Shah said. "If he can keep, he can play the World Series. Let's see how he does in the Ind T20 League."

Pant, who has been out of action since December 2022, because of a severe knee injury that required a ligament reconstruction surgery, apart from a fractured wrist and ankle in the car accident. Now with the Indian Cricket Board's seal of approval, Pant might return to the field as early as March 23, when Delhi lock horns with Punjab to kick off their 2024 campaign. 

Pant started match simulation exercise in Bengaluru in Feb 2024 and even played a 20 over practice match in Alur, Karnataka, under the supervision of NCA trainers and physios. Pant was understood to have felt no discomfort while batting for the complete 20 overs that time and the people examining him were satisfied with his endurance levels. Pant, though, did not keep wickets at the time, and was advised to restart that facet of his training in March. 

In February, Delhi co-owner Parth Jindal had declared Pant as the skipper for Ind T20 League 2024 and said that the 26 year old would be back as a batter alone for the initial half of the season. Jindal said “depending on how his body reacts, we will take a call for the rest of the Ind T20 League".

Shami’s availability for the entire tournament will have come as a huge blow to Gujarat, who will be led by Shubman Gill after Hardik Pandya reunited with Mumbai. With 28 wickets last season, Shami was the leading wicket taker. 

Shami last played a game back in November 19, 2023 (ODI World Series Final). Playing through pain taking injections throughout the tournament, Shami ended the tournament as the top wicket taker. 

Shami was eyeing a return for the test series against England in January 2024 but was later ruled out of the entire series as well as the Ind T20 League after his ankle surgery in February. He is also uncertain for the forthcoming T20 World Series. 

For Rajasthan, it will be their second consecutive season without Prasidh. He was ruled out in 2023 too. Prasidh picked up his recent injury during a Ranji trophy game playing for Karnataka. He played a crucial role for Rajasthan in Ind T20 League 2022 where he took 19 wickets in 17 matches.