Rishabh Pant cannot wait to start his captaincy stint with Delhi Capitals against mentor Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings in Mumbai on Saturday.
“My first match as captain will be against Mahibhai. 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 CSK,” Pant was quoted as saying by Delhi Capitals.
The youngster often draws comparisons with Dhoni but has maintained that he is aiming for a space of his own even though he does turn to the senior player for advice and mentorship.
Pant, who has scored 2,079 runs in 68 IPL matches, said he would be working hard to give Delhi Capitals their maiden IPL title.
“...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 from 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 per cent and is happy in the team environment, and that’s what you want as a captain.”
Asked about the influence of head coach Ricky Ponting on the team, Pant said: “He (Ricky) has been so amazing for us in the last two-three years.
“He brings energy to the team and as a player when you see your coach and you’re thinking this is the man from whom you can learn a lot, then nothing is better than that.
“Hopefully, we will cross the line this year, with the help of Ricky and the whole team.”
Ponting also confirmed that Steve Smith would bat in the top three if the latter does get into the XI. “I think the fact that Smith has been released from the franchise that he has been at for a long time will make him a bit hungry as well this year,” cricket.com.au quoted Ponting as saying.
“So if he gets an opportunity with us, I think it will be in the top three somewhere — if he gets an opportunity, I’m sure he’ll have a great year for us.”
SA pacers arrive
Delhi Capitals pacers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje arrived on Tuesday but will miss the team’s opening fixture against CSK due to the mandatory seven-day quarantine period.
The South African pacers were retained by the franchise after their sensational bowling performances that helped the Capitals reach their maiden final last year.
“Delhi Capitals’ fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje arrived at the team hotel in Mumbai on Tuesday,” the franchise said. “Rabada and Nortje will be in quarantine for one week.”