India's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who has not played cricket since December 2023, can play the T20 World Cup for India "if he can keep [wicket]," said BCCI secretary Jay Shah.
Pant has been out of action since a horrific car accident in December 2022. The accident had left Pant with a severe injury to his right knee, necessitating ligament reconstruction surgery, along with a fractured wrist and ankle.
"He is batting well, he is keeping well. We will declare him fit very soon," Shah told Press Trust of India.
"If he can play the T20 World Cup for us, that will be a big thing for us. He is a big asset for us. If he can keep, he can play the World Cup. Let's see how he does in the IPL," he added.
On the other hand, Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting had already said that Pant would play the IPL, starting from March 22.
Last month, Capitals' co-owner Parth Jindal told ESPNcricinfo that Pant has started his wicketkeeping. Jindal also said Pant was likely to be fully fit for the IPL and that he expected Pant to lead from match one.
It is worth mentioning that it took Pant 40 days to start walking after the horrific accident where he sustained multiple injuries. He also keeps on updating his social media accounts with the routine gym work.
Pant played his last international match in December 2022 during the second Test between India and Bangladesh in Mirpur.
He was replaced by Ishan Kishan in T20Is as a wicketkeeper while in 50-over cricket, KL Rahul took over his role and has been playing since then.
It must be noted that Pant was one of the most important players of the Indian cricket team prior to the car crash across all formats. He captained India's T20I side against South Africa in June 2022 and was also named in the Men's Test Team of the Year 2021 for his fantastic performances throughout the year.
- Rishabh Pant