Rishabh Pant has received clearance from the BCCI’s medical and fitness departments to participate in the IPL 2024 as a “wicket-keeper batter.” Mohammed Shami and Prasidh Krishna, both fast bowlers, have been excluded from the competition.
Additionally, the BCCI statement verified that fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, who recently underwent surgery on his left proximal quadriceps tendon, was ruled out of the tournament. A lumbar stress fracture sidelined the 28-year-old for the Rajasthan Royals in the previous season. He will miss his second consecutive season. Krishna, who had recently recovered from that severe injury, even debuted in a Test during the South Africa tour before being sidelined in the early phases of the Ranji Trophy.
In lieu of batter Devdutt Padikkal, the Royals have acquired Avesh Khan from the Lucknow Super Giants in preparation for this season, thereby bolstering their reserves of Indian fast bowlers.
In February 2024, Pant began match-simulation exercises in Bengaluru, and even played a 20-over practice game in Alur, Karnataka, under the supervision of NCA physios and trainers. At the time, Pant was understood to have experienced no discomfort while batting for the entire 20 overs, and the people monitoring him were believed to have been satisfied with his endurance levels. Pant, however, didn’t keep wickets back then, and was advised to resume that aspect of his training in March.
