WATCH: Ricky Ponting Calms Down Frustrated Rishabh Pant After Early Dismissal Against PBKS

Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was back on the field for the first time since surviving a horrific car crash in December 2022. The crowd at the Mullanpur Stadium welcomed the Delhi Capitals captain with a standing ovation as he walked out to bat against hosts Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Though Pant couldn’t muster enough runs on his return, he did show a glimpse of what he is known for.

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Batting again in front of a huge crowd was seemingly new for Pant who spent the last entire year in the National Cricket Academy rehabilitating. On Saturday noon, he faced 13 balls during his stay at the crease and accumulated 18 runs with the help of 2 boundaries. But the moment he decided to switch gears, he succumbed to a slower delivery by Harshal Patel.

The PBKS pacer had bowled it slower and short while Pant arched back to ramp it past the keeper but was tricked by the lack of pace. The DC skipper ended up dabbing an easy catch to Jonny Bairstow at backward point.

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The dismissal was indeed frustrating as it cut short Pant’s innings too early. As the camera panned on the Delhi skipper, he was spotted expressing his anger in the dugout while head coach Ricky Ponting consoled him, asking him to calm down.

The Shikhar Dhawan-led Punjab Kings rallied to stop Delhi Capitals at 174 for nine in their campaign opener. Batting at number nine, Abhishek Porel top-scored with an unbeaten 32 off only 10 balls and lifted DC to a competitive total after an early batting collapse.

Opting to bowl after winning the toss, Punjab were put under pressure straightaway by the flamboyant Australian opening duo of David Warner (29 off 21 balls) and Mitchell Marsh (20 off 12 balls), who were dealing in fours and sixes.

Harshal Patel (2/47) got the big wicket of Warner in his first over as comeback man Pant (18 off 13 balls) arrived at the crease to loud applause from the stands.