Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant of Delhi Capitals (Photo-AFP)

Former India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin opined that wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant might be on the radar of the Indian team selectors as a future India captain after the Dehradun-born was given the Delhi Capitals captaincy for the IPL 2021 season.

The Delhi Capitals will be missing their regular captain Shreyas Iyer for the IPL 2021 after he dislocated his shoulder during the first ODI between India and England and will be out for 4-6 months after requiring surgery to repair the damage.

Rishabh Pant, IPL 2021
Rishabh Pant for Delhi Capitals (Photo- Twitter)

Hence, after much intrigue, Delhi Capitals’ management named Rishabh Pant as the captain of the team despite the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Steve Smith, and R Ashwin, all former captains of IPL franchises, present in the squad.

Rishabh Pant’s Attacking Cricket Will Stand India In Good Stead In Times To Come: Mohammed Azharuddin

Azharuddin, who played 334 ODIs and 99 Tests for India, on Wednesday said he won’t be surprised if selectors see Pant as an option for Indian captaincy in the near future. This will be the first time Rishabh Pant will captain any franchise in the tournament, having made his IPL debut for DC in IPL 2016.

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Mohammad Azharuddin
Mohammad Azharuddin. Image-DNA

“Rishabh Pant has had such fabulous few months, establishing himself in all formats. It won’t come as a surprise if the selectors see him as a front-runner fr Indian captaincy in near future. His attacking cricket will stand India in good stead in times to come,” Azharuddin tweeted.

I Am Truly Grateful, Especially To Our Team Owners Who Found Me Capable To Lead Delhi Capitals: Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant will become one of the youngest to captain a team in IPL when he leads the Delhi Capitals out in their first match of IPL 2021, against Chennai Super Kings to be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 10.

Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant of Delhi Capitals (Photo-DC Twitter)

“Delhi is where I grew up, and where my IPL journey began six years ago. To lead this team one day is a dream I’ve always harbored. And today, as that dream comes true, I feel humbled. I am truly grateful, especially to our team owners, who considered me capable enough for this role. With an amazing coaching staff, and a plethora of accomplished seniors around me, I can’t wait to give my absolute best for Delhi Capitals,” Pant said in a video posted by DC on their Twitter.

Rishabh Pant has scored 2079 runs in 68 IPL matches with one century (128*) and 13 half-centuries with a strike-rate of 151.97. He has hit 103 sixes and 183 fours while taking 46 catches and making 11 stumpings behind the stumps.

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