Gulf News

Captain Pant believes in the process

Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting gives a huge thumbs up to young skipper

- BY GAUTAM BHATTACHAR­YYA Senior Associate Editor

The young and restless — it’s a phrase which often sits well with the new generation. However, if you are the captain of a title-aspirant IPL franchise, the first choice wicketkeep­er-batsman for India in all formats and a long shot as a future captain, then you need a calm head on your shoulders — and that’s what Rishabh Pant seems to have acquired over the past year and-a-half.

As Delhi Capitals resume their campaign in the UAE leg of IPL 2021 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Dubai today, they are well poised at the second position in the table — but the biggest concern of their coaches and players had been to maintain the momentum after a four-month break. The side has enough experience in its ranks to know that a loss of momentum in the first couple of matches and the going can suddenly get tough even for the most in-form of teams.

Back from a marathon tour of England, he is all set to begin the UAE leg of IPL as a new campaign. “The performanc­e of our first leg definitely counts, but now we focus on one match at a time. We need to focus on the process,” the young captain said

Coach Ricky Ponting, meanwhile, was effusive. “His level of maturity has gone through the roof and to be honest, I didn’t see that coming. He has grown as a player to be a regular in all three formats for India now. He was an exceptiona­l vice-captain to Shreyas and now as captain, he is striving to make things happen,” he said.

 ?? Gulf News Archives ?? Delhi Daredevils skipper Rishabh Pant is all set to lead his side from the front against Sunrisers Hyderabad today.
Gulf News Archives Delhi Daredevils skipper Rishabh Pant is all set to lead his side from the front against Sunrisers Hyderabad today.

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