IPL 2021, DC vs MI: Delhi Capitals have played four matches so far in the IPL 2021 and have won three matches to move to the second spot of the table with six points. Under a young Rishabh Pant’s captaincy, it has been a great beginning for DC. On Tuesday, with an easy 6-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Pant proved that it was a challenge that he has taken well. He said that with Ricky Ponting’s help,
“As a wicketkeeper, I keep on reading the games and it has helped me a lot but with the seniors around and Rickey Ponting in our management, I think, it is going great,” Rishabh Pant said at the post-match press conference.
With Amit Mishra setting the stage with an excellent 4/24 in his four overs, Delhi Capitals restricted Mumbai Indians to just 137 in 20 overs after Rohit Sharma opted to bat first. Considering Delhi Capitals reached Chennai from Mumbai a day before to play two matches at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, it was a good achievement to go off to a winning start. Chennai wicket hasn’t been kind to many, especially to Kolkata Knight Riders, who lost two out three matches at the venue with skipper Eoin Morgan saying he failed to judge the wickets at Chepauk.
Also Read: Big victory for Delhi Capitals, defeats Mumbai Indians by 6 wickets to end 5-match losing streak
IPL 2021, DC vs MI: Rishabh Pant “slightly worried” about travelling during COVID-19 pandemic
But for Rishabh Pant, the worry was travelling during COVID-19 pandemic. With surging cases of COVDI-19 infections across the country, his side began playing in Mumbai before travelling to Chennai. From there, Delhi Capitals will move to Ahmedabad to play four matches before travelling to Kolkata for five games.
“It is slightly challenging because of the time of COVID. But I think as a team, we are not focusing on outside things too much. BCCI has done really well to give us a good bubble and travelling. So, we are focusing more on cricket. And it’s good to see people adjusting to the pitch like this especially when you are coming from Wankhede. It’s good to see,” Rishabh Pant said.
Also Read: IPL 2021, DC vs MI: Amit Mishra derails Mumbai Indians, becomes only Indian with most 4-wicket hauls
IPL 2021, DC vs MI: Rishabh Pant loses personal battle to Jasprit Bumrah
However, despite tasting success as a team, Pant lost a personal battle to Mumbai Indians’ pacer Jasprit Bumrah. The death-overs specialist got his wicket for the 6th time in 11 innings, making Pant his bunny. But Rishabh Pant was not ready to give any importance to the match-up, saying he had to go for the shots as DC were chasing a target.
“As a player, you don’t focus on match-ups too much. Doesn’t matter what you are doing or what you have done before, every day is a new day in cricket. As you can see, they (MI) had to give him the ball at that time as they had no other option. And I had to go for my shots because we were chasing. So, I think, you have to focus more on scenarios rather than match-ups,” Rishabh Pant said.
IPL 2021, DC vs MI: Rishabh Pant happy with Lalit Yadav’s performance
Finally, he heaped praise on Lalit Yadav for a solid all-round performance. With the ball, he gave away only 17 runs in his four overs for a wicket, restricting Mumbai to a modest total. With the bat, he played a fine innings of 22 off 25 when the team lost two quick wickets in Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant.
“He is a good youngster and we are trying to groom him We thought in this kind of wickets, he can do wonders. It’s good to see some maturity from him,” Pant signed off.
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