‘It’s a big decision we have to make’: Ricky Ponting’s big update on Rishabh Pant | Cricket News

Delhi Capitals (DC) coach Ricky Ponting has revealed his plans to use returning star Rishabh Pant in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Pant is trying to recover from a major car accident in December 2022 and return to professional cricket for the Capitals later this month. The wicketkeeper-batsman has already participated in a series of match practices with India teammate Hardik Pandya at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to speed up his recovery.

Speaking to Sanjana Ganesan on the latest episode of ICC Review, Ponting said that he expects Pant to captain the team from the start of the game if his fitness permits.

“It’s a big decision we have to make because if he’s fit you’d think he’d be straight back into the captaincy role. If he’s not fully fit and we have to put him in a slightly different role then we need to be there Take some decisions,” Ponting was quoted as saying by the ICC’s official website.

Ponting said Pant has done a lot of work to try and make a comeback to cricket and the recent knock at the NCA should keep him in good shape for the Indian Cricket League opener in Mohali on March 23, against Kings XI Punjab.

“He’s actually played some practice games the last few weeks, which has been really encouraging for us. I know he’s worked incredibly hard physically and health-wise to get back to where he is now. He’s been among them. The former Australia batsman asserts that he has played in these matches and batting does not seem to be an issue for him so far.

“We’re obviously worried that he might not be ready in time for this year’s IPL. I mean, he was a huge loss for us last year and what he’s been through, we can’t even begin to describe what he’s been like over the last 12 or 14 months. What we have been through,” the World Cup-winning captain added.

Ponting spoke for everyone as he went on to discuss how the entire world is waiting for Pant to return to cricket after a difficult few months of recovery.

“As the coach of Delhi Capitals, I am very hopeful, not from a selfish point of view, but I would like to see him play cricket again. I think the whole world would like to see him play cricket again, just to be with him Play.” “He’s got that youthful energy. If he does that, then I know he’s going to win some games for Delhi and we’re going to have a good time this season,” the 49-year-old said .

The former Australia captain acknowledged the swashbuckling Indian wicketkeeper’s talent and is confident he will be back to form once he returns to action.

“Knowing Rishabh, it probably won’t (take time to adjust) because he’s so talented and just knowing the type of person he is, I don’t think he’ll be in awe. I don’t think he’ll be in awe because of his comeback. Scared. The fact that he has missed 15 months of cricket, I don’t think it bothers him too much,” said the cricketer-turned-commentator.

“I think he’s going to go out and of course, no matter what, that’s my job – I’m going to tell him to go back and play the way he’s been playing and I think if he does that I think the games are going to come back quicker Him side. If he goes out and tries to find his way and get back to his best, I think it might take him a little longer,” the Delhi Capitals head coach added.

“But at the end of the day, that’s what these practice sessions are for now, that’s what the training camp is for, let’s get his skills and mentality back to a place where he can go out and bat and he always plays,” Ponting concluded.