In a season filled with exciting stories, Rishabh Pant's comeback has been a standout tale in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). Last Wednesday, as captain of the Delhi Capitals, Pant showed he was back in full athletic form with a brilliant unbeaten 88 off just 43 balls. His innings included five fours and an impressive eight sixes.
Jaise guru, waise shishya 🚁#DCvGT #TATAIPL #IPLonJioCinema #IPLinHindi pic.twitter.com/wBtuLmlqiv — JioCinema (@JioCinema) April 24, 2024
Pant's innings came at a tough moment for Delhi, as the Gujarat Titans had taken early wickets to gain an advantage. But with the support of Axar Patel, Pant anchored the innings before unleashing a flurry of aggressive shots that are characteristic of his style, especially in Test cricket.
The pivotal moment came in the 16th over when Pant executed his version of the famous 'helicopter shot,' made famous by his mentor Sourav Ganguly's former teammate and cricket legend, MS Dhoni. Pant's shot, powered by his strong bottom hand, sent the ball sailing over deep midwicket for a massive six, earning him a standing ovation from Ganguly in the DC dugout.
As the innings progressed, Pant's momentum grew, reaching his fifty in just 34 balls during the 18th over, highlighted by another daring six off Mohit Sharma. The later overs saw a burst of boundaries from Tristan Stubbs, setting the stage for Pant's explosive finish in the final over.
Facing Mohit again, Pant launched a relentless assault, swinging the match decisively in Delhi's favor. With a mix of power and precision, Pant hit a boundary off a wide ball, followed by three consecutive sixes—a thrilling sequence that yielded an astonishing 31 runs in the over, with 30 credited to Pant himself.
Although Delhi set a strong total of 224/4, the match's end was tense as the Gujarat Titans threatened a dramatic comeback, falling just four runs short. Nevertheless, Pant's heroics secured a vital win for DC and reaffirmed his reputation as a game-changer.
Sourav Ganguly Said “Rishabh Pant should be part of the World Cup squad…He should bat in the middle order. Where exactly is difficult to say because of match-ups and right-left combinations depending on who bowls. It also depends on the situation” (PTI)
pic.twitter.com/Q2wkSmFHtC — Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952_) April 22, 2024
Question - who should be India's wicketkeeper at the 2024 T20 World Cup? Ishan, Pant or Sanju? (News24 Sports).
Sourav Ganguly - Rishabh Pant should be the one. pic.twitter.com/i4dyvTTEGA — Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 23, 2024
Sourav Ganguly picked Rishabh Pant Over Sanju Samson and Ishan kishan for T20 World Cup.
If Rishabh Pant get selected, this sympathy will cost India another ICC trophy. pic.twitter.com/7LgzW7B9yb — Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) April 23, 2024
Following Pant's electrifying performance, the Delhi Capitals are now in a strong position in the top four, inspired by their leader's return to form. As the IPL season nears its climax, Pant's resurgence symbolizes his unwavering determination and Delhi's ambitions for championship glory.
