IND vs SA: Rishabh Pant elated to lead India after KL Rahul’s injury
IND vs SA: After KL Rahul was ruled out of the Twenty20 series against South Africa due to injury, Rishabh Pant said on Wednesday that he will make the most of his unexpected opportunity to captain India.
When the Indian Premier League ended, Rahul named captain after all-format skipper Rohit Sharma and superstar Virat Kohli had a sabbatical, but he is now out with a groyne injury.
In his place, Pant, a wicketkeeper-batsman who leads Delhi Capitals in the IPL, will lead the team in the five-match series, which begins on Thursday in New Delhi.
“It’s a great feeling, especially getting an opportunity like this in your hometown, (no) bigger opportunity than that and I will make the most of it,” the 24-year-old told reporters.
Pant further stated that his success would aided by his leadership experience in Delhi.
“It will help me a lot because when you keep on doing the same thing over a period of time you tend to improve,” he said.
“I am someone who keeps learning from my mistakes, and I think that’s what is going to help me in the coming days.”
Kuldeep Yadav, a left-arm wrist spinner, will also out after smacked on the right hand when batting in the nets on Tuesday.
According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Both he and Rahul will sent to the National Cricket Academy for medical evaluation.
Hardik Pandya, who led Gujarat Titans to IPL victory in their inaugural season last month, has named vice-captain.
“I think as a team we have thought about certain goals which we want to achieve,” he said. “In the coming days you will see a lot of changes in the way we play.”
Pant stated that India has set their sights on the T20 World Cup later this year. And that a new brand of cricket will unleashed soon.
Pant prepared to sweat it out in the sweltering Delhi heat. That has reached 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit) this week.
“I think this is the first time we are playing in these kind of conditions after a long time. But I think the heat will play its part,” he said.
“We might get dehydrated, we might get tired earlier but I think it’s part and parcel of the game. We just have to keep improving, not think about the heat.”
After Kohli stepped down as captain, Pant considered as a future leader with Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah.
Since his debut in 2017, he has played 30 Tests, 24 one-day internationals, and 43 Twenty20 matches for India.
Despite failures by the glovesman that cost the team a spot in the IPL playoffs. Delhi coach Ricky Ponting and Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma. Both supported Pant’s leadership skills last month.
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