CRICKET

Is Rishabh Pant the right man to lead Delhi Capitals?

Published

4 years ago

April 7, 2021

admin

One man’s loss is another man’s gain.

This saying best fits the situation at the Delhi Capitals camp at the moment as they are all set to be led by a young captain in this year’s IPL.

The franchise has tasked Rishabh Pant, 23, with the responsibility of heading the side after Shreyas Iyer was sidelined for the entire tournament due to a shoulder injury.

The right-handed batsman was injured during the first England-India ODI that India won by 66 runs.

Pant has been India’s go-to guy in the white-ball series for the past few months, not to forget his heroics with the bat in the Australia tour as well.

The 23-year-old won the Gabba Test for the visitors single-handedly to help India clinch the Border-Gavaskar series.

Coupled with decent outings against England at home, the young sensation has been trusted by his franchise to do well in the coming IPL and continue to pile up big totals with his free-flowing batting.

But gauging Pant’s ability to lead the team by his age would be unfair.

While this instance makes him the fifth-youngest player in the IPL’s history, this is not the first time the left-handed star will be skipper, in his professional career.

Back in 2017, a 19-year-old Pant took over the captaincy of Delhi from veteran Gautam Gambhir, in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Delhi coach Bhaskar Pillai had said that team selectors had chosen Pant for the job to groom him as a future leader.

This past experience has definitely been a consideration when the current DC management decided to make him captain.

Is Pant the perfect choice?

Shikhar Dhawan could have been a decent candidate for the job as well, but any avid follower of Indian cricket knows that the country is a big believer in preparing future leaders.

Investing in youth seems to be the new mantra.

With a 35-year-old Dhawan leading the side, Delhi Capitals might have replicated their good run from last season.

However, that will not benefit their long-term plans much since the veteran is not in contention to lead either the Indian team or a franchise in the near future.

This makes Pant a candidate with the best shot as someone who keeps the wicket, views the field from the best position in the field, and has also, rubbed shoulder with MS Dhoni during international duties.

Moreover, twenty-over cricket is often regarded as a young man’s game since it has sped up the sport itself.

With an energetic keeper who has been enjoying international exposure since 2016 as an India U-19 player, Pant seems like a good choice.

The Pant-Ponting bond

Rishabh Pant and Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting share a great bond that has been evident in the dugout for the past few seasons.

The Australian batting great has hailed Pant’s mindset when it comes to being a skipper.

In his first interview since joining the Capitals’ camp, the cricket legend said that Pant will thrive under the extra pressure.

He was of the view that the important thing is to bombard the 23-year-old with team plans and information as the tournament kicks off on April 9.

Ponting affirmed that senior players like Ishant Sharma, Dhawan, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ajinkya Rahane will also assist Pant in the IPL games.

This is because, Ponting believes that Pant will need a little support now and then in the season despite possessing a strong mindset.

Whether Ponting and the DC management is right, will be proved on the field on April 10 when Delhi will play their first game against MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium.

BIG NEWS

Janakpur Bolts Clinch Victory in Inaugural Nepal Premier League Final

Published

42 minutes ago

December 21, 2024

Maadhav

Nepal Premier League Final! Janakpur Bolts clinched the inaugural Nepal Premier League title by defeating Sudurpaschim Royals in a thrilling final. The Bolts showcased remarkable resilience, chasing down a target of 187 runs with five wickets in hand at the TU International Cricket Ground.

Sudurpaschim Royals, batting first, set a competitive total of 184 for nine wickets, led by Saif Zaib and Binod Bhandari. Zaib scored a solid 69 runs, while Bhandari added a crucial 41. However, their middle order failed to capitalize on a strong start, succumbing to disciplined bowling from Janakpur’s attack.

Kishor Mahato and Mohammad Mohisin starred with the ball for Janakpur, each claiming three wickets. Lalit Rajbanshi bowled an exceptional spell, conceding just 15 runs, including a maiden over. Their efforts restricted Sudurpaschim from posting a more imposing total.

In response, Janakpur’s Lahiru Milantha led the charge with a stunning 87 runs off 49 balls, including six fours and as many sixes. His innings anchored the chase, despite early pressure from Sudurpaschim’s bowlers. Aasif Sheikh, the Janakpur captain, played a vital supporting role, ensuring a composed finish.

This victory is a milestone for Nepali cricket, highlighting the league’s competitiveness and its potential to elevate local talent. Fans celebrated the intense final, hopeful for the league’s promising future.

CRICKET

Captains Gear Up for NPL Final Showdown

Published

11 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Maadhav

Captains Share Strategies Ahead of NPL Final

The stage is set for the highly anticipated NPL final between Sudurpaschim Royals and Janakpur Bolts at TU International Cricket Ground. Both captains expressed their excitement and shared their strategies during a pre-match press conference, building anticipation for the thrilling clash in the NPL Final.

Sudurpaschim Royals captain Dipendra Singh Airee stressed the importance of maintaining consistency and playing with determination. He assured fans the team was fully prepared to deliver their best performance. Airee highlighted teamwork as the key to their successful journey to the final.

Janakpur Bolts captain Aasif Sheikh reflected on their previous losses to Sudurpaschim but emphasized a strong mental approach for the final. Sheikh urged his players to focus on executing their skills under pressure and remain confident despite the challenges. He also acknowledged the significance of fan support, calling on supporters to cheer positively for both teams.

Both captains praised the contributions of Nepali players in their squads, emphasizing their pivotal role in the tournament’s success. They also encouraged a spirit of sportsmanship and appreciation for the growing standards of Nepali cricket.

The final promises an exhilarating contest as two formidable teams compete for the championship title. Fans can expect a captivating battle between Sudurpaschim’s consistency and Janakpur’s determination. The match is scheduled to start at 12:15 PM, with cricket enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the outcome.

CRICKET

Janakpur Bolts Secure Spot in NPL Final to Face Sudurpaschim Royals

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Maadhav

Janakpur Bolts in the NPL final! Janakpur Bolts defeated Karnali Yaks by two wickets in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) Qualifier 2 to secure their spot in the final. Chasing a modest target of 119 runs, Janakpur overcame early setbacks and achieved victory in 19 overs, finishing with eight wickets down.

New Zealand batter Jimmy Neesham played a pivotal role, scoring a rapid 45 runs off just 17 balls. His innings included two fours and five sixes before being dismissed by Bipin Sharma. Contributions from Mayan Yadav (14 runs) and Sher Malla (16 runs not out) also proved crucial in the lower order.

Earlier, Karnali Yaks struggled to post a competitive total, managing only 118 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs. Gulshan Jha top-scored for Karnali with 25 runs off 20 balls, while Dev Khanal added 24. Janakpur’s bowlers, including Lalit Rajbanshi, Jimmy Neesham, and Muhammad Mohsin, each picked up two wickets to restrict the opposition.

Janakpur’s journey to the final wasn’t without challenges. They suffered a defeat against Sudurpaschim Royals in Qualifier 1, forcing them into this must-win game. Despite an unsteady start, with key players like Aasif Sheikh and Lahiru Milantha departing early, the team showed resilience under pressure.

The final, set for Saturday, will feature Janakpur Bolts facing Sudurpaschim Royals in what promises to be an intense battle. Both teams, having proven their mettle throughout the season, are eager to clinch the prestigious NPL title.