Rishabh Pant has been in the spotlight for his impressive performances in the IPL 2024 season, leading to discussions about his potential inclusion in India‘s T20 World Cup squad. Delhi Capitals‘ head coach, Ricky Ponting, has expressed his belief that Pant is “too good a player” to be left out of the squad.
Ponting commended Pant’s improvement, particularly highlighting his batting and wicketkeeping skills. He noted that Pant has gained more trust and belief in his abilities, especially in his wicketkeeping. Ponting expressed confidence in Pant’s selection for the T20 World Cup, stating that he can have a significant impact on the game for India.
“I think he will be there in that squad for sure. He is too good a player and can have too much of an impact on the game for India not to select him in the squad,” Ponting said.
Reflecting on Pant’s journey, Ponting mentioned the challenges Pant faced, including a near-fatal car crash that sidelined him for nearly 14 months. Ponting recalled his initial concerns about Pant’s return to cricket but praised Pant’s hard work and the support he received from the Delhi Capitals franchise.
Ricky Ponting talks about Pant’s optimism
“I think the way he thinks about life is a little bit different than before. He faced truly terrifying times when you think about the accident in isolation. The extent of his injuries… when I first saw him in the middle of last year’s IPL, I must admit I had concerns if he was going to play again,” Ponting recalled.
“But he has worked really hard; this franchise has been very supportive in doing everything it can to give him a chance to come back to full fitness. Now, he’s running between the wickets well, he’s keeping well, his hand-eye coordination with gloves and his movement is good. More importantly, when I saw him just after the accident, there wasn’t much to be happy about for him, but he’s back to playing cricket with a smile on his face, and that’s the most important thing.”
Pant’s leadership skills were also under scrutiny, especially after a recent loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Despite the loss, Pant has been a standout performer for Delhi Capitals in the IPL, emerging as the side’s highest scorer in the season.
Pant is likely to compete for a wicketkeeping spot in the T20 World Cup squad alongside other contenders like Sanju Samson and Dinesh Karthik. Ponting emphasized the need for adaptable and aggressive players in T20 cricket, noting that the game has evolved to favor players who can adjust to situational demands.
Delhi Capitals, currently eighth in the table, will look to Pant’s leadership as they aim to improve their performance in the upcoming matches and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram
