Rishabh Pant’s resilient return to the cricket discipline in a number of roles will likely be the focus when Delhi Capitals take on Punjab Kings of their IPL opener in Chandigarh on March 23, each groups hoping to erase the disappointment of below-par performances in the final season.
Pant’s miraculous escape from a life-threatening automotive crash in December 2022 has now grow to be a story of perseverance after the big-hitting wicketkeeper-batter made a sooner than anticipated restoration to be again in motion.
He has been cleared to play as a keeper-batter and has the extra accountability of captaining the facet, taking again the place from David Warner, who led DC to a ninth-place end in the 10-team event final 12 months.
“He (Pant) has probably batted more in the last week than he has ever batted leading into most of the IPLs. I think from his point of view, he wants to get a bit of trust back in his body again,” stated DC coach Ricky Ponting on Thursday forward of the match to be performed at the newly-constructed Maharaja Yadavindra Singh cricket stadium in Mullanpur right here.
It has taken 15 months of arduous work, braveness and willpower for Pant to be prepared to guide DC once more. He is an enormous shot in the arm for the workforce whose best-ever efficiency in the IPL until date is a runners-up end in 2020.
It is just not but clear whether or not Pant will begin his preserving duties instantly. In case he would not, DC will fall again on both West Indian Shai Hope or South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs.
DC have a potent quick bowling arsenal, backed up by an explosive batting lineup.
Warner, who lately retired from the Test cricket, will likely be hoping to make a mark and safe a spot in the T20 World Cup-bound Australian facet.
In Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Marsh, Pant and Stubbs, DC have explosive batting line-up, whereas their bowling assault will likely be led by Anrich Nortje in the firm of Indian veteran Ishant Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel.
PBKS look to shed previous baggage
The Punjab trophy cupboard is empty too. They have made it to the last solely as soon as, in 2014, shedding to Kolkata Knight Riders on that event.
After ending sixth for 4 consecutive seasons between 2019 and 2022, PBKS dropped to eighth in 2023, and can look to show issues round this time.
In Shikhar Dhawan, PBKS have a skipper who could be determined to show some extent after being side-lined from the nationwide set-up.
PBKS have a brand new vice-captain in Jitesh Sharma however Jonny Bairstow’s type could be a priority.
The facet have some feisty all-rounders in Sikandar Raza, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone and Rishi Dhawan whereas the bowling assault will likely be led by Kagiso Rabada in the firm of Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel and Nathan Ellis.
But they’ve hardly ever come collectively as a unit to go the distance, making Delhi the favourites for the day sport.
Teams (from):
Delhi Capitals: Rishabh Pant (C), David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Swastik Chikara, Yash Dhull, Anrich Nortje, Ishant Sharma, Jhye Richardson, Khaleel Ahmed, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Pravin Dubey, Rasikh Dar, Vicky Ostwal, Axar Patel, Jake Fraser-cGurk, Lalit Yadav, Mitchell Marsh, Sumit Kumar, Abishek Porel, Kumar Kushagra, Rickey Bhui, Shai Hope, Tristan Stubbs.
Punjab Kings: Shikhar Dhawan (C), Jitesh Sharma, Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh, Liam Livingstone, Harpreet Bhatia, Rilee Rossouw, Shashank Singh, Chris Woakes, Vishwanath Pratap Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, Tanay Thyagarajan, Atharva Taide, Rishi Dhawan, Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Shivam Singh, Prince Choudhary, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada, Nathan Ellis, Rahut Chahar, Vidwath Kaverappa, Harshal Patel.
Match begins at 3:30PM IST.
