Is Rishabh Pant the Ideal Captain for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2021 After Shreyas Iyer's Injury?

Giving captaincy to any youngster is always welcome. This might not only benefit Delhi Capitals but also for the future of the Indian cricket team. The Delhi Capitals franchise recently announced that Rishabh Pant, the Indian wicket-keeper batsman, will lead the team in the 2021 IPL season. Rishabh Pant will take over as the captain due to Shreyas Iyer's absence, who is out of the tournament due to a shoulder injury.

The Decision and Context

The decision to appoint Pant as captain came collectively after discussion with the franchise co-owners Kiran Kumar Grandhi and Parth Jindal as well as the team's head coach, Ricky Pointing. Rishabh Pant, who had an impressive season with the Virat Kohli-led Indian national team, will make his debut as a full-time captain in the 2021 IPL season.

Rishabh Pant's Captaincy Record

Rishabh Pant has become the fifth-youngest captain in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Pant will turn 23 in 2021 and will lead the Delhi Capitals in the 14th edition of the IPL, following in the footsteps of stars like Virat Kohli, Steven Smith, Suresh Raina, and Shreyas Iyer, who were all 23 when they took the captaincy role.

Why Rishabh Pant?

Pant was one of the front runners in the captaincy race to replace Shreyas Iyer, along with other senior players. While Shikhar Dhawan, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Steve Smith were also considered for the role, Pandit’s decision to pick Pant was surprising given the experience of the other candidates. The Delhi Capitals have a history of backing young talent, which may make this decision beneficial for the team in the long run.

Apart from his experience in international cricket, Pant has demonstrated a lot in domestic cricket as a match-winner. Starting with the historic Test series win in Australia and followed by the series win across formats against England at home, Pant has shown consistency and aptitude to lead a team.

Performance Expectations

It will be intriguing to see how Pant performs as both a wicket-keeper and a batsman under the pressure of captaincy. His form in recent matches and international tournaments indicates that he is ready for the challenge. However, the role of captaincy is not only about playing well; it also involves leadership, decision-making capabilities, and understanding the team dynamic.

Conclusion

While it is too early to predict the ultimate outcome of Pant’s captaincy, it is hopeful to see a young Indian player leading the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League. Wishing him all the best as he takes up this new responsibility. The journey ahead is exciting, and the world waits to see how this decision pans out.

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