DC coach Ricky Ponting backs Rishabh Pant to win matches
Rishabh Pant has played a decent role for Delhi Capitals in the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League. The youngster has helped DC win a couple of close encounters. Pant, who was left out of India's World Cup 2019 squad, had struck a match-winning knock against Rajasthan Royals recently. In the same light, coach Ricky Ponting has backed Pant to win more matches.
Pant will be crucial for DC at this stage
In IPL 2019, Pant has played two special innings to hand his franchise special victories. Against RR recently, the youngster slammed an unbeaten 78. Previously, he had smashed 78* to help his side overcome Mumbai Indians in an away encounter. DC, who have played 11 matches, stay third in the table. Pant has scored 336 runs this season. DC will need more from him.
World Cup selection thoughts ran through Pant's mind
Pant saw Dinesh Karthik get selected over him for the upcoming 2019 World Cup. He was named as a standby though. After the last match against RR, the southpaw had stated, "I won't lie, the selection thought was running in my mind." And now Ponting has said that the thoughts of World Cup team selection might have impacted Pant's form in the IPL 2019.
Ponting highlights Pant's form in first phase
"In the first phase of the tournament, players like Pant might have had certain thoughts around his mind about the World Cup selection, but to be honest, that 78* in the first match against Mumbai was what got us the win," Ponting said.
Ponting backs Pant to win some more games for DC
Punter has backed Pant to excel for DC. "I'm glad he found the form again against RR, and what you want from players like him is that they win you three or four matches each throughout the season, and he has certainly won two games for us so far, and if he remains in form, he can get a couple of more wins."
DC can go all the way: Our take
DC have a strong squad at their disposal and they have played a strong brand of cricket. If the key Indian players keep performing to their abilities, then DC can go all the way. They also have plenty of experienced stars to guide the side.
