The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has been a hotbed of speculation regarding player selection for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. With the Indian cricket team announcement for the marquee event just a week away, the competition for slots is fierce. However, based on current form, Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant appears to have all but secured his spot as the number one wicketkeeper-batter.
After recovering from a serious car crash injury, Pant has showcased his exceptional skills behind the stumps and maintained consistency with his batting. However, his performance against Gujarat Titans’ Mohit Sharma in the last over of their recent match was nothing short of extraordinary.
DC began the final over at 193/4 and ended it on 224/4, thanks to Pant’s explosive batting. He smashed 6, 4, 6, 6, and 6 off the last five deliveries, leaving GT in a state of shock. The DC star remained unbeaten on 88* off just 43 balls.
In the same match, Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel played contrasting fifties to propel Delhi Capitals to a formidable total of 224 for 4 against Gujarat Titans. After medium pacer Sandeep Warrier (3/15) dismissed the top three batsmen, Axar (66 off 43 balls) and Pant (88 not out of 43 balls) forged a crucial 113-run partnership to stabilize the innings.
Pant was in his element, hitting eight maximums and five fours. Tristan Stubbs also contributed with a quickfire 26 off 7 balls.
With his impressive performances, Pant has emerged as a strong contender for the wicketkeeper-batter role in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024. His ability to combine aggressive batting with reliable wicketkeeping makes him a valuable asset to any team.
