Melbourne
Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting expressed Rishabh Pant’s confidence in participating in the entire Indian Premier League (IPL) season, despite uncertainties about his wicketkeeping duties. Pant has been sidelined since sustaining injuries in a December 2022 accident.
Ponting shared that Pant is optimistic about his return, but the team remains unsure about his role, given the proximity to the season’s commencement. While Pant’s enthusiasm to play every game and handle wicket keeping duties remains high, Ponting acknowledged the need to manage expectations due to the unpredictable nature of recovery.
Highlighting Pant’s dynamic playing style and leadership role, Ponting emphasized the team’s reliance on him. He acknowledged Pant’s challenging journey over the past year and stressed the importance of managing his participation strategically to maximize his contributions.
He disclosed that veteran Australian batter David Warner would assume the captaincy if Pant were unavailable. He also outlined the team’s composition, expressing confidence in overseas batters like Warner and Mitch Marsh, along with the potential contributions of newcomers like Harry Brook.
He later concluded by emphasizing the team’s depth and the need for improved performance, citing the inclusion of players like Nortje, Richardson, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav as key elements in strengthening the squad.
