India’s newest cricket centre in Mohali’s Mullanpur is about to witness one of the most awaited comeback stories in cricket. Rishabh Pant, 15 months after a gruesome car accident, will be taking the field for the first time in a competitive match when Delhi Capitals take on hosts Punjab Kings on Saturday afternoon. The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium, built over 40 acres, couldn’t have asked for a better event for its first live match.
The IPL, over the last four seasons, has generated buzz around MS Dhoni’s impending swansong. Pant, forever touted as Dhoni’s successor in Indian cricket, is likely to match the euphoria as he travels across the country over the next couple of months. His comeback story, if it goes according to the script, will definitely overshadow the match.
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While the BCCI has declared Pant fit enough to keep wickets, the Capitals management has toyed with the idea of easing him into the tournament minus the burden of keeping wickets. Whether or not Pant dons the gloves, his mere presence is expected to generate a roar. For once, one could expect Mohali, infamous for low turnouts, to see a buzzing crowd on Saturday.
Over the last half a decade, Delhi Capitals’ brand has grown with the evolution of Pant. He has been pivotal in turning DC into a more consistent and threatening team. The team suffered when he was missing in action last season but now he is back as captain. Head coach Ricky Ponting, for one, couldn’t be happier.
1/8:IPL prize money comparison over the years
Agencies
2/8:Prize Money in 2008
<p>When the Indian Premier League began in 2008, it revolutionized cricket and significantly increased prize money, with the winning side receiving Rs 4.8 crore and the runner-up awarded Rs 2.4 crore in the initial editions.</p>Agencies
3/8:Prize Money Evolution (2010-2013)
<p>By 2010, the winner's prize money surged to Rs 10 crore, maintaining the trend until 2013, with the runner-up receiving Rs 5 crore during this period.</p>Agencies
4/8:Prize Money Increase (2014-2016)
<p>From 2014 onwards, the IPL elevated its prize money, offering Rs 15 crore for the winner and Rs 10 crore for the runner-up, further increasing to accommodate a higher standard of competition by 2016.</p>Agencies
5/8:Fluctuations in Prize Money (2017-2019)
<p>In 2017, prize money reverted to Rs 15 crore for the winner and Rs 10 crore for the runner-up, fluctuating back to higher figures in the subsequent years, touching Rs 21 crore for the winner and Rs 12.5 crore for the runner-up by 2019.</p>Agencies
6/8:Impact of COVID-19 (2020)
<p>The COVID-19 pandemic affected prize money distribution in 2020, with the winner receiving Rs 10 crore and the runner-up collecting Rs 6.25 crore, reflecting the unprecedented challenges faced by the tournament.</p>Agencies
7/8:Prize Money Surge (2021)
<p>In 2021, the BCCI raised the winner's prize money to Rs 20 crore and increased the runner-up prize to Rs 12.2 crore, showcasing the league's commitment to rewarding excellence despite adversities.</p>Agencies
8/8:Consistency and Bonus (2022-2023)
<p>For the 2022–23 edition, the winner's prize money remained steady at Rs 20 crore, while the runner-up received a bonus as the governing council increased it to Rs 13 crore, maintaining consistency with previous years.</p>Agencies“I’ve seen where his game is at, and don’t be surprised if something special happens tomorrow. His attitude, smile and what he wants to do for the team is infectious. Everyone wants to be like Rishabh,” Ponting said on Friday.
“Make no mistake, we have got a great team this year.” It’s only natural that there will be a lot of nerves going in to Saturday’s game.
“He will be a little bit nervous tomorrow, playing his first game in a while, but nerves are always good because it means something to you. The day you are not nervous is the day you shouldn’t be playing cricket anymore,” Ponting said.
Punjab Kings, who are the perennial underachievers in IPL, would do well the ride the Pant wave and exploit the semblance of uncertainty in the Capitals’ camp.
Here’s the thing. Both captains — Pant and Shikhar Dhawan — have been happy-go-lucky guys. If anyone will be absolutely unfazed by the Pant wave, it’s Dhawan. Both adopt a ‘enjoy-the-moment’ approach.
