Newly-appointed Delhi captain Rishabh Pant has said that he is looking forward to his team's opening Indian T20 League game against Chennai on Saturday, April 10, where he will use his own experience as well as things learned under his mentor Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Pant was named Delhi's captain for the upcoming Indian T20 League season after their regular skipper, Shreyas Iyer was ruled out of the entire tournament due to a shoulder injury. Pant has been an elusive figure for the Indian cricket team over the past few months, playing vital roles during Australia as well as the England series. So, as he gears up for the new venture as captain, he has said that he will try to do something different against Chennai.
“My first match as captain will be against Mahi (MS Dhoni) bhai. It will be a good experience for me as I have learned a lot from him. I have my own experience as a player as well.
“I’ll apply my own experience and the learnings from MS Dhoni, and try to do something different against Chennai,” Pant was quoted as saying in a press release issued by Delhi Capitals.
The new season brings new hope for Pant, who is just 121 runs away from eclipsing his captain, Shreyas Iyer, to become the highest scorer for Team Delhi in the history of the competition. Pant has scored 2079 runs in 68 innings for Delhi at an average of 35.23. He has often drawn comparisons with MS Dhoni, and he has said that he looking to make the most of the given opportunity.
“I am looking forward to making most of this opportunity. We haven’t won a title yet and I will try my level best to get a title this year. We’ve been playing nicely as a team for the last two-three years and our preparations are going on well,” he said.
“Everyone looks in great frame of mind. Everyone is giving their 100 percent and is happy in the team environment, and that’s what you want as a captain,” he added.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Biju Boro
