Players like that don't grow on trees, I want him in IPL: Ricky Ponting on Rishabh Pant

While India's star cricketer Rishabh Pant would stay on the sidelines for a long term, Delhi Capitals head coach, Ricky Ponting feels Pant is irreplaceable and should take part in the upcoming IPL in any capacity.

Calling the DC skipper a cultural leader of the group, Ponting said, 'If he's actually not physically fit enough to play, we'd still love to have him around, the attitude and infectious smile and laugh he has is what we all love so much about him.'

Ponting said that if the 25-year-old is able to travel and can be with the team, then he would want Pant sitting beside him in the dugout every day in IPL 2023.

'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 while giving an update about Pant's replacement in the IPL franchise.

Pant was on his way from Delhi to Roorkee when his car met with a horrific accident on December 29. He has been ruled out of the IPL and is currently recovering after undergoing a series of surgeries in Mumbai.