New Delhi : As wicketkeeper-batter and DC captain Rishabh Pant prepares to lead the Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2024, all-rounder Axar Patel expressed his delight at his friend's comeback, saying "all the banter and fun started again," something he missed last year.
Delhi will open its IPL 2024 campaign against PBKS at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Chandigarh on Saturday.
The wicketkeeper-batter is making a return to professional cricket after 14 months and has been a part of the Delhi Capitals pre-season preparatory camp in Vizag. DC confirmed the 26-year-old as the captain of the franchise in an official release.
Speaking about Pant's return to professional cricket, Axar said, "I'm sure everyone would have said that it's great to have him back in the team, but personally, I missed him a lot, missed our banter both on and off the field last year."
Pant has represented DC since 2016 and scored 2,838 runs in 98 matches at an average of 34.61 and a strike rate of over 147, with a century and 15 fifties to his name.
"But, now that he is back, all the banter and fun have started alongside serious conversations around the game. I'm just looking forward to having more fun with him this season," he concluded.
After Delhi Capitals (DC) arrived in Chandigarh for their opening match against Punjab Kings (PBKS), all-rounder Patel took a moment to reflect on the team's preparations for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.
"Everyone is coming off good performances in their respective domestic and international outings. It's been a great atmosphere in the team. We have had good intense training sessions in Vizag before our opening game," Axar Patel said in an official statement by DC.
"It's a new season, we are starting afresh. Mainly the conversations with the coaches have been around the execution of plans and most importantly how to keep things simple in the tournament," the 30-year-old added on the team's approach.