Rishabh Pant Can Lead Delhi for First IPL Title

Rishabh Pant Can Lead Delhi for First IPL Title: Ryan Harris

Ryan Harris believes that the “natural leader” Rishabh Pant can guide the Delhi Capitals to their first Indian Premier League title. (More cricket news)

Pant was named captain of the Capitals last month after Shreyas Iyer was ruled out of the tournament due to a shoulder injury.

India sensation Pant has emerged as one of the most dangerous hitters in the world and will start the IPL in outstanding form, having dealt brutal treatment to the England Test and limited attacks.

Harris saw Pant’s captaincy credentials when he was Delhi’s bowling coach on his way to the 2020 IPL final, which they lost to the Mumbai Indians.

The former Australian goalkeeper says the 23-year-old wicketkeeper-hitter can thrive with the responsibility of being captain.

He told Stats Perform News: “Obviously it’s a blow to lose Shreyas, but Rishabh is a natural leader and a great competitor.

“He was already leading a lot when I was in Dubai last year for the tournament. There were times when Shreyas was lining up on the edge, so Rishabh was taking responsibility at the time.

“He’s a bit of a talkative and outspoken character. It’s not something you go blind to and you will enjoy it.

“Rishabh is a natural leader, a popular member of the team and he was an obvious choice for promotion as captain and he should have great confidence after some brilliant performances against Australia and England.”

 

 

The Capitals will have a powerful bowling attack once again, with South African duo Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje held back along with Ishant Sharma and players like Ravichandran Ashwin.

Harris feels this could be the year for Delhi, which has also drafted prolific Australian hitter Steve Smith, to claim an elusive first IPL crown.

“They have some of the best fast pitchers in the world on that team and if they can stay in shape, they can have a really good tournament again,” he said.

“Rabada and Nortje were outstanding last year and they also added Tom Curran. Ashwin and [Amit] Mishra are great spin options and the hitting lineup is strong so they have a good chance. ”

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