‘Bhai Zinda hai wo yaar’ – Fans unhappy with Delhi placing Rishabh Pant’s jersey in dugout as tribute to the injured wicketkeeper batter

Delhi started their campaign against KL Rahul’s Lucknow in the third game of the Indian T20 League 2023 on Saturday. David Warner and company locked horns with the home team at the iconic Ekkana Stadium in Lucknow on April 1. In absence of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan kept the wickets for the team from Capitals.

Notably, Pant is, currently, running out of cricket due to various injuries. Ahead of the game, to mark Pant’s contribution to the franchise, Delhi made a heartwarming gesture that won the hearts of fans too. Delhi made a great gesture to mark Pant’s presence in their dugout as they placed his jersey at the top of the dugout during the game. Informing about the same, the franchise made a social media post, saying, “Always in our dugout. Always in our team.”

Notably, the 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batter suffered a massive car accident in the early hours of 30th December 2022. He was driving back to his native town in Roorkee from Delhi when he crashed his car on the divider at a National Highway near Roorkee.

He suffered severe injuries in the back, knee, and other body parts. Pant is reportedly out of action for almost 6-7 months and is set to miss the Test Championship finals and Asia Cup later this year.

Abhishek Porel replaced Rishabh Pant 

Ahead of their opening game against Lucknow, Delhi announced the replacement for injured Rishabh Pant. They picked a young wicketkeeper-batter from West Bengal to replace the India superstar. Pant was replaced by Abhishek Porel, who has been phenomenal for Bengal in the recently finished domestic season. He has scored for Bengal in crucial moments. Porel is also a very good wicketkeeper as he has clinched 38 wickets in the last 10 games as has taken 36 catches and two stumps in these games.

Meanwhile, fans react to Delhi’s gesture for Rishabh Pant. A twitter user said, “Bhai jinda hai wo itta overacting na karo.”

Here are some Tweets: 

What a gesture 🙌🔥🖤 RP 🫡

— DJOKER♠️ (@AniketN_79) April 1, 2023

Bhai Zinda hai wo yaar ye kya sab tribute de raha ponting jabse aaya hai.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

— Neal Gamby (Cric-tique) (@Mastikhorboi) April 1, 2023

Bhai jinda h vo abi..all are behaving like he is no more

— Sandyyyyyy (@sandy0173) April 1, 2023

And a seat too vacated for him! 👏🙌😊❤️ @RishabhPant17 Bhai!! Get well soon!

— Raghav Chaturvedi (@RaghvChaturvedi) April 1, 2023

what's ganguly's role?

— Aman (@CaptainKohli___) April 1, 2023

What is wrong with the Delhi team fielding ? Buckle up.

— Jaya Ratnam (@JayaRatnam2) April 1, 2023

God , he will be remembered forever in our memories

— Abeer Saavarn (@ab_saavarn) April 1, 2023

DC's Heart and soul. DC missed him every second

— Raghu nath (@Raghuna29298422) April 1, 2023

What an tribute 💖💖

— Prashanth S (@Prashan84562412) April 1, 2023

Hindi cometary is the best cometary 😂

— Jaypalsinh _sodha_007 (@sodha_007) April 1, 2023

Lol, he's injured only

— Smit Manore (@smitmanore) April 1, 2023

Endra adi pittaku pettinattu 😂 pic.twitter.com/CxBaNnkEF9

— Charanteju (@Charanstar3) April 1, 2023

Meanwhile Rishabh : Smiling at the kind gesture shown by his franchise pic.twitter.com/1YEWI6mW9P

— ً (@SarcasticCowboy) April 1, 2023

Band karo yeh match…aakh dard hora hai.

— Prateek Shivhare (@prateek0899) April 1, 2023