Former India batter Navjot Singh Sidhu is confident about Rishabh Pant regaining his mojo, having his return after a 15-month-long absence following his brutal car accident. Pant returned to action on Saturday during Delhi Capitals (DC)'s opening match of IPL 2024 against Punjab Kings (PBKS). The 26-year-old received a standing ovation from the crowd at the newly-inaugrated Mullanpur Stadium in Mohali. While Pant scored just 18 runs off 13 deliveries, Sidhu is hopeful that it is just a matter of time until he is back to his very best.
"He is leading Delhi Capitals and running between the wickets and playing good cricket. Just a matter of time before he will regain his form. But, importantly, Indian cricket has got its fine gem back, and we should be thankful to God on his return to the field," Sidhu said on Star Sports.
However, Pant's return was clouded by DC's loss to PBKS.
Chasing 175 for victory, Punjab rode on England all-rounder Sam Curran's 47-ball 63 to achieve their target with four wickets and four balls to spare at IPL's newest venue at Mullanpur in the northern Indian state of Punjab.
Curran went to his half-century and put on a key 67-run fifth-wicket stand with fellow Englishman Liam Livingstone, who hit the winning six in his 21-ball 38, to steer the team home.
"Really emotional time for me," Pant said at the toss after Delhi were invited to bat first.
"Just want to enjoy the moment."
"Personally I was pretty nervous but you have to go through this when you enter the field," Pant said after the loss.
"This isn't the first time being nervous, but happy about that (return)."
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 the crash.
He was replaced as skipper of Delhi Capitals by Warner of Australia and the team ended ninth in the 10-team table last year.
(With AFP Inputs)