Delhi Capitals batter Rishabh Pant performs a shot through the IPL 2024 match towards Gujarat Titans on the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, on April 17, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen feels Rishabh Pant and the Indian crew management ought to really feel very inspired by the comeback-man’s mobility within the IPL recreation towards Gujarat Titans right here because the T20 World Cup attracts nearer.
Pant grabbed two catches, effected a stumping and then performed a 16-run cameo in Delhi Capitals’ six-wicket overcome Gujarat Titans right here on Wednesday. He was adjudged ‘Player of the Match’ primarily based purely on his preserving abilities, a primary in IPL since Dinesh Karthik received one in 2009 version in South Africa.
Pant is the highest contender for the wicketkeeper’s slot within the Indian squad that will be chosen for the showpiece in June.
“His mobility was something that will give him great encouragement, which will also encourage Team India. Of course, he needs game time, as everyone does when coming back from an injury,” Pietersen stated on ‘Star Sports Cricket Live’.
“He’s returning from a horrific injury, so game time is crucial for him. To prepare for the T20 World Cup, he should play these 14–15 IPL games because it’s significant leading into a T20 World Cup. If he plays that much cricket, he will be ready,” he added referring to the life-threatening automobile crash during which Pant suffered a number of accidents in 2022.
Pietersen was additionally impressed by Pant’s captaincy through the recreation, saying he used his assets fairly tactfully. DC dismissed GT for 89 runs in 17.3 overs earlier than overhauling the goal in 8.5 overs.
“Yeah, the first three bowlers actually bowled beautifully this evening and the way that Rishabh Pant marshalled his troops was exceptional because you want to see one bowler bowling one over and another bowling another…,” stated the previous batter.
“….they keep changing with five or six bowlers bowling in the first powerplay whereas Rishabh Pant said no, I am going to back my strike bowlers and I’m going to back the guys that are doing well for me, they are very good with the new ball and I want them to really bury GT.
“And that is precisely what Delhi did, they buried GT within the powerplay.”
