Rishabh Pant to lead India against South Africa

Rahul injures groin on eve of T20I seriesNEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant's journey in international cricket has been as unpredictable as his batting. He has zoomed through the ranks forever copping criticism for his flamboyant game. Even as doubts over his consistency continue, Pant became India's second youngest T20I captain as KL Rahul was ruled out of the T20I series against South Africa due to a groin injury on Wednesday. A carefree and happy-go-lucky man on the face of it, Pant wore an intense look during the optional training at the Ferozeshah Kotla on Wednesday, a day before the first T20I against South Africa. Juggling duties with match officials and his wicket-keeping drills under the scorching sun, Pant was getting ready for his big day. As he walked off the ground and headed for the pre-match press conference, he mentioned: "I am so glad this has happened at Kotla. Wish Tarak sir (his childhood coach who passed away last November) was there to witness this moment."

Pant's career has really taken off after the pandemic hit. He has spent the most amount of time hopping through bio-secure bubbles over the last two years. Just as the bubble restrictions in India were lifted, he squeezed out time on Wednesday morning to visit his alma mater Venkateswara college in South Delhi, where he honed his skills at the Sonnet Club as a teenager. A couple of hours later he was informed he would be captaining the Indian team through the series. "It's a very good feeling, although it has not come in good circumstances. The news came in just an hour back, so I am also processing it. I really want to thank the people who have stood by me through thick and thin," Pant said while addressing the media. Pant's elevation, albeit standing in