Ricky Ponting: Rishabh Pant likes the responsibility, wants to be the main man

Delhi Capitals head coach believes the extra responsibility will only help Pant reach greater heights in IPL 2021

DC vs MI (Image credit: Twitter)
By Karthik Raman | Apr 5, 2021 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting is of the opinion that skipper Rishabh Pant will relish the additional responsibility of captaining the side in the Indian Premier League 2021. The former Australian captain feels that Pant is the sort of player who will enjoy leading the side. “I think extra responsibility is going to sit really well with him,” Ponting said in a statement.

Speaking highly on the newly appointed skipper, Ponting added, “He’s that sort of a person who likes the responsibility, wants to be the main man and wants to be the leader, so I am really excited to see how he goes.” He further said, “We’ll help him through, but honestly, I don’t think he’s going to need much help at all.”

The wicket-keeper batsman was tasked with leading the Delhi side after their skipper Shreyas Iyer had to pull out of the tournament with an injury. Ponting has said that Pant will be provided with the necessary support by his coaching team during the IPL. “I think if we can get most of the talking with Rishabh about his captaincy done leading into the first game then we don’t have to worry about it as the tournament starts,” he added.

“The last thing you want is to be overloading the captain with all sorts of information once the tournament is underway. It’s a big part of my job, and other coaches and senior players’ job to get behind Rishabh and help him where they need to. Not only during training but during matches as well.”

‘Breathtaking’

Heaping praise on his new skipper, Ponting is in awe of the wicket-keeper batsman’s recent form. “When he got back into the Test squad in Australia, I actually made a comment before a ball was bowled in the second Test match that this will be the unearthing of a 15-year Test player for India,” Ponting said.

“I think he’s on track for doing that. His cricket in the last six-seven months has been nothing short of breathtaking and outstanding.”

After finishing last season as runners-up, Ponting is buoyant about Delhi Capitals’ title chances this time around. “I am thrilled with the players that we’ve got here, and I think we can win the IPL,” he added.

“Might as well go on record and say it now because that’s what I am here for and that’s what the players are here for. We’ve had our chat and it’s all about winning and how we can go one step further from last year.”

Delhi Capitals will kickstart their IPL 2021 campaign against former champions Chennai Super Kings on Saturday, April 10th.





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