IPL 2023: To Make Rishabh Pant Part Of Delhi Capitals Team, Ricky Ponting's Unique Idea

24.03.2023 - 14:05 sports.ndtv.com

Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant is on the road to recovery following his car accident in December last year. Pant, however, will miss the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), and in his absence, David Warner will lead the team.

During an event in New Delhi, head coach Ricky Ponting said that Pant was the heart and soul of the franchise. He revealed that the players might don Pant's jersey number on their shirts or caps, as a tribute to the star player. "In an ideal world for me, he'd be sitting next to me in the dugout every match.

But if that's not possible, we'd like to make him part of the team in ways possible. We can have his number on our shirts or on caps.

Just to make it clear that he's our leader, even if he's not with us," Ponting was quoted as saying by Times Now. While Warner will fill in for Pant as captain, his replacement behind the sticks is yet to be finalised.

cricket Lucknow Super Giants David Warner Ricky Ponting Rishabh Pant India Delhi New Delhi

Delhi Capitals captain David Warner is coming under increasing pressure after his team's losing start to the season stretched to four matches to sit bottom of the Indian Premier League table.

Watch: Sourav Ganguly, Ricky Ponting Left Stunned After David Warner's Wayward Throw Hurts Delhi Capitals Against Mumbai Indians In IPL 2023

Delhi Capitals continued their winless streak in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 as the David Warner-led side slumped to a six-wicket loss against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday. With 5 runs needed in the final over, MI looked quite comfortable but disciplined bowling from Andrich Nortje put pressure on Cameron Green and Tim David. With 2 runs needed in the final ball, David played the ball straight to Warner at deep mid-off but his wayward throw to Abhishek Porel allowed the batters to complete the double and seal the victory. In a video going viral on social media, head coach Ricky Ponting and Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly were seen reacting to the effort.

IPL 2023: Sunil Gavaskar Underlines 'Biggest Problem' For Rohit Sharma's MI

Batting great Sunil Gavaskar feels the lack of partnerships, especially between openers Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan, is hurting five-time winners Mumbai Indians in the ongoing IPL. MI suffered reverses in their first two outings of the 16th Indian Premier League, losing to Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore with both Rohit and Ishan failing to deliver. Speaking to Star Sports, Gavaskar said, "MI's biggest problem since last season till date has been the lack of partnerships. Unless you have big partnerships, it is difficult for you to score big.

'One-Handed Six I Hit Was For Him': Delhi Capitals Star's Unique Gesture For Rishabh Pant

Following his side's first home game at Arun Jaitley Stadium in four years, Delhi Capitals vice-captain Axar Patel said that he told the team's regular skipper Rishabh Pant, currently recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident last year, that the one-handed-six he hit was for him and it was great to meet the wicketkeeper-batter in the dressing room. Axar also expressed hope that Pant recovers soon so that they can both hit one-handed shots together.

"Will Take Some Time To...": After Delhi Capitals' Two Losses In 2 Games, Axar Patel's Admission

Vice-captain Axar Patel is of the opinion that Delhi Capitals shouldn't be tinkering with too many aspects of their overall game despite twin defeats as it is just a matter of time before things start falling in place. DC went down to Lucknow Super Giants in their opener by 50 runs before being outplayed by defending champions Gujarat Giants by six wickets on Tuesday. Axar added that the Delhi side will take some time to gel together as a unit.

Watch: Rishabh Pant Attends DC's First IPL 2023 Home Match Against GT

Delhi Capitals had a special guest in Rishabh Pant at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday during their first home match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 against the Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans. The DC regular skipper and wicketkeeper-batter is currently recovering from injuries that sustained in a car accident late last year. Pant could be seen arriving at the venue in a car and then slowly walked towards the stand. Later, he was photographed watching the match from the stands.