IPL 2021: 'Rishabh Pant has done a terrific job as captain of Delhi Capitals,' says coach Ricky Ponting

Rishabh Pant. Pic/AFP; (right) Ricky Ponting

Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting feels his young skipper Rishabh Pant's level of maturity "has gone through the roof" in the last couple of seasons as he has evolved from a swashbuckling keeper-batsman to a leader of the pack.

Pant, 23, was given the responsibility to lead Delhi Capitals in the first phase of IPL 2021 after regular captain Shreyas Iyer was ruled out due to a shoulder injury.

Wise head

"Rishabh's level of maturity in the last two seasons has gone through the roof," Ponting, one of the game's all-time greats, described the cricketer on Tuesday ahead of their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

"When I first came in, he had just burst on to the scene. I had said we are going to see the unearthing of someone who is going to play for India for a long time. I could see that coming. I could see how much he wanted to be in every Indian team. It will take a very good player to knock him off that Indian team."

Under Pant's captaincy, DC won six of their eight matches in the first phase of IPL 2021. "He has done a terrific job so far [leading DC in IPL]. We are all striving for something special. This year we want to go one step further and Rishabh is going to play an integral part in that."

Before the first phase of the league had started in India earlier this year, Ponting had backed Pant as the team's skipper in the absence of Iyer, stating that the youngster would enjoy the extra responsibility.

And he did as DC topped the standings with six wins from eight matches before COVID-19 cases in the IPL's bio-bubble led to a suspension of the event.

"We are better than last time this year. We have been focussing on the process for two-three years. We don't have to do too many things differently from last year. We can do the same things and give 10-15 percent extra," Pant said.

‘Many finishers now'

With the presence of people like Marcus Stoinis and Shimron Hetmyer in the team, besides Pant, the Australian legend has a lot of confidence in his middle-order.

"Stoinis has actually had a very big impact on us. He has the talent to be a great all-rounder in world cricket, especially in white-ball. We have got a lot of finishing power there with Hetmyer, Stoinis and Pant...makes our batting line-up really strong and really deep."

Ponting is delighted to have Iyer back in the squad, lending additional firepower to the batting. "I am delighted to have him back in the team. He has been an exceptional player for Delhi, a world-class player. It does make our team look a little more complete."

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