IPL 2024: Google welcomes Rishabh Pant with a special post on his return to action

The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mohali was on its feet as lionhearted Rishabh Pant marked his return to the action during the PBKS vs DC clash. Pant was treated to a grand reception as he walked down the field after a hiatus of 453 days, suffering a near-fatal car accident in December 2022. To add the cherry to the cake, Google India came up with a special tweet to welcome the returning hero.

Notably, Pant was last seen gracing the field for India in whites against Bangladesh in December 2022 and saw the light of the day in competitive cricket after 15 months. Google India highlighted wicketkeeper-batter’s injury break in their special tweet and captioned it, “It's been a long wait, welcome back #IPL.”

The 24-year-old, who underwent various surgeries and intense training sessions to mark his comeback, was under clouds of doubt for a full-fledged season ahead of IPL 2024. Before the commencement of the cash-rich league, even DC management had apprehensions about handing keeping gloves to their skipper right after his return. However, BCCI cleared the air around Pant’s fitness before the season, declaring him match-fit after a prolonged rehab.

Coming to the match day, the Capitals’ leader couldn’t seize the day upon his return to the action as his stay at the crease was cut short by Harshal Patel. Though Pant returned to the hut after 18 of 13, the Delhi Capitals would have breathed a sigh of relief after having their talismanic batter after a year.

The PBKS vs DC clash saw the coin landing in Shikhar Dhawan’s favour as he chose to bat first. The hosts folded Pant and his men on 174 runs after Shai Hope and Impact Player Abhishek Porel chipped in with 33 and 32, respectively. At the outset, David Warner, who donned the skipper’s hat in Pant’s absence, added 29 runs to the board.