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Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting is confident leading the team in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season will make wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant an even better player.
Rishabh Pant was named captain of Delhi Capitals for the upcoming IPL after captain Shreyas Iyer was ruled out of the tournament following injuring his left shoulder during the recently concluded England series.
This season is the start of the wicketkeeper-batsman as IPL captain. Pant previously led Delhi’s state team.
On his new role, Pant said: “Delhi is where I grew up and where my IPL journey started six years ago. One day to lead this team is a dream I’ve always cherished. And today, when that dream comes true, I feel humbled. I am really grateful, especially to the owners of our team, who consider me quite capable of this role. With a great coaching staff and plenty of experienced seniors around me, I can’t wait for the Delhi Capitals to do their absolute best.”
On the latest developments, Shreyas Iyer said: “When I sustained a shoulder injury, and Delhi Capitals needed a leader for this edition of IPL, I had no doubt that Rishabh would be the best person for the job. He has great things for all my good wishes for our absolutely incredible team. I’m going to miss the team so much, and I’m going to be happy for them everywhere.”
Ricky Ponting, head coach of Delhi Capitals, said, “The last two seasons under Shreyas’ leadership have been incredible, and the results speak for themselves. This is an excellent opportunity for the young Rishabh coming from a successful stint against Australia and England, with no doubt that he will get the necessary confidence to take on a new role that brings a lot of responsibility. The coaching group is excited to work with him, and we can’t wait for the season to begin.
“It’s a shame Shreyas will miss the tournament, but I’m looking forward to seeing @RishabhPant17 take his chance. It’s well deserved for his recent performances and he comes in with a lot of confidence. I’m sure captaincy will make him an even better player,” Ponting tweeted.
Unfortunate that Shreyas will miss the tournament, but looking forward to seeing @RishabhPant17 grab his opportunity. It's well deserved for his recent performances and he's coming in with a lot of confidence. I'm convinced captaincy will make him an even better player. https://t.co/tVqMnLt1Er
— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) March 31, 2021
Highly rated Pant has been in sensational form in various formats this year. He played a match-winning knock of 97 and unbeaten 89 in the 3rd and 4th Tests against Australia that helped India win the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
He then scored a brilliant century against England in the 4th Test in Ahmedabad, forcing the selectors to join him in the white-ball squads.
Back to the Indian white-ball side, Pant was promoted to No.4 in the series against England, and the 23-year-old did not disappoint. He scored half a century in two ODI’s.
🚨 ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨
Rishabh Pant will be our Captain for #IPL2021 ✨@ShreyasIyer15 has been ruled out of the upcoming season following his injury in the #INDvENG series and @RishabhPant17 will lead the team in his absence 🧢#YehHaiNayiDilli
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 30, 2021
DC Chairman and Co-Owner Mr. Kiran Kumar Grandi said on this occasion, “I wish Shreyas a speedy recovery, our team under Shreyas’ captaincy reached new heights, and he will be sorely missed. In his absence, the franchisee has chosen Rishabh to lead the team together this year. While it has come under unfortunate circumstances, it is a great opportunity for him to move forward. I wish him every success in his new role.”
