Indian cricket star Rishabh Pant made a comeback as Punjab Kings defeated Delhi Capitals by four wickets in the first match of the Indian Premier League season on Saturday.
Pant, who was injured in a car accident in December 2022, returned to lead the Capitals. He scored 18 runs off 13 balls in his comeback game.
Delhi posted a total of 174-9 in 20 overs, with Shai Hope top-scoring with 33 runs off 25 balls, and Abishek Porel contributing 32 not out off 10 balls.
Punjab chased down the target in 19.2 overs, thanks to Sam Curran’s 63 off 47 balls, finishing at 177-6.
Delhi got off to a quick start with David Warner (29) and Mitchell Marsh (20), but Punjab’s pacers struck back. Pant’s return innings was not smooth, and he was caught in the 13th over after scoring 18 runs. Hope’s dismissal left Delhi struggling at 111-5. Abishek Porel’s aggressive batting towards the end helped Delhi post a competitive total.
In response, Punjab lost early wickets but recovered well, with Curran scoring a half-century and Liam Livingstone contributing with a quickfire 38 off 21 balls. They secured victory with ease, despite Delhi dropping a couple of catches.
