Rishabh Pant: India wicketkeeper fit for Indian Premier League return after 2022 car crash

Rishabh Pant has scored 2,271 Test runs for India at an average of 43.67

India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has been passed fit to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after a 14-month absence from cricket.

Pant, 26, has not played since being injured in a serious car accident in December 2022.

It has been confirmed that Pant will play for Delhi Capitals in the upcoming IPL season, which starts on 22 March.

Should Pant show he can keep wicket well, he could feature in India's squad for the Men's T20 World Cup in June.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a statement posted on X: "After undergoing an extensive 14-month rehab and recovery process, following a life-threatening road mishap on December 30th, 2022, Rishabh Pant has now been declared fit as a wicketkeeper batter for the upcoming TATA IPL 2024."

Pant required reconstruction surgery on a ligament in his right knee following the crash, world governing body the ICC has stated. At the time of the crash, reports in India stated Pant also suffered injuries to his back and head.

Pant's last match came days before the car accident that sidelined him for over a year, scoring 93 in the first innings of India's Test win over Bangladesh in Mirpur.

He has played 33 Tests, 30 one-day internationals and 66 T20s for India.

Delhi Capitals, who are captained by Pant, start their IPL campaign on 23 March against Punjab Kings.

However, India fast bowler Mohammed Shami will miss the IPL season after ankle surgery kept him out of the recent Test series with England, and he is also likely to miss the T20 World Cup.

Batter KL Rahul is set to return for the IPL after missing the final four Tests of the series win over England with a quadricep injury.