'You can't replace those guys' - Former Australia captain makes huge remark on Rishabh Pant ahead of Indian T20 League 2023

Rishabh Pant (Source: Twitter)

Legendary Australian captain Ricky Ponting has showered praise on Rishabh Pant who has been recovering from a life-threatening car accident that he met on December 30. Ponting who’s the head coach of the Delhi franchise in the Indian T20 League had a great time with Pant ever since he took the coaching role in 2018.

"I absolutely love the bloke, I told him that on the phone the last couple of days," Ponting told The Apex Cricket Body Review.

“It was a horrifying time, a really scary time for everybody, let alone him. Anyone that knows him loves him - he's a really infectious young guy that has the world at his feet still. So we will keep our fingers crossed and hope that he can get back to playing sooner rather than later,” he added.

Pant met a horrific car accident on December 30 and suffered several serious injuries. However, the wicketkeeper batter is making good progress in his recovery. Pant's return to cricket remains uncertain, with his participation in this season's Indian T20 League completely ruled out.

With Pant out for the 2023 season, the head coach is already considering other options to compensate for the loss of his star player.

"You can't replace those guys, simple as that. They don't grow on trees, players like that. We've got to look at - and we already are - a replacement to come into the squad, a wicketkeeper-batsman,” Ponting said.

If Pant is healthy enough, a significant role with the franchise will still be available due to Ponting's love and respect for his captain.

He's the sort of cultural leader around the group being the captain: Ricky Ponting

"I want him sitting beside me in the dugout every day of the week. If he's actually not physically fit enough to play, we'd still love to have him around," Ponting explained.

"He's the sort of cultural leader around the group, being the captain, and that attitude and infectious smile and laugh he has is what we all love so much about him. If he's actually able to travel and be around the team, then I want him sitting beside me in the dugout every day of the week,” he added.

“I'll certainly be making sure, come the middle of March when we get together in Delhi and start our camps and stuff, if he's able to be there, then I want him around the whole time,” Ponting concluded.