The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a mixed bag of news for Indian cricket fans. While Rishabh Pant has been declared fit to play in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, pace bowlers Mohammed Shami and Prasidh Krishna will miss the tournament due to injuries.
Rishabh Pant returns after gruelling rehab:
Pant, who had been undergoing rehabilitation for 14 months following a near-fatal car accident in December 2022, has finally received the green light to rejoin competitive cricket. The wicket-keeper batter has been working diligently on his fitness at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and is now deemed ready to take the field for his IPL franchise, Delhi Capitals (DC).
Mohammed Shami and Prasidh Krishna sidelined with injuries:
However, there was less positive news for Shami and Krishna. Shami underwent surgery for a right heel problem in February, while Krishna had surgery on his left quadriceps tendon at the end of the same month. Both players are currently under the BCCI medical team’s supervision and will continue their rehab at the NCA. Unfortunately, their recovery timelines mean they won’t be able to participate in IPL 2024.
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The BCCI’s official press release stated:
Rishabh Pant: After undergoing an extensive 14-month rehab and recovery process, following a life-threatening road mishap on December 30th, 2022, near Roorkee, Uttarakhand, Rishabh Pant has now been declared fit as a wicket-keeper batter for the upcoming TATA IPL 2024.
Prasidh Krishna: The fast bowler underwent surgery on February 23rd, 2024, on his left proximal quadriceps tendon. He is currently being monitored by the BCCI Medical Team and will resume rehab at the National Cricket Academy soon. He will not be able to take part in the upcoming TATA IPL 2024.
Mohammed Shami: The fast bowler successfully underwent surgery on February 26th, 2024, for his right heel problem. He is currently being monitored by the BCCI medical team and is ruled out of the upcoming TATA IPL 2024.
Pant’s return is a major boost for Delhi Capitals and Indian cricket as a whole. However, the absence of Shami and Krishna creates a void in India’s bowling attack, especially with the T20 World Cup scheduled later this year.