GT vs DC: Rishabh Pant's Work Ethics A Lot Similar To Mahendra Singh Dhoni: Ravi Shastri
IPL 2022: Former Indian cricket team coach Ravi Shastri has said that Rishabh Pant’s work ethics and pre-match practice are a lot similar to Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s. This statement comes in the backdrop of the Delhi Capitals’ win over 5-time champions Mumbai Indians in their first game.
Rishabh Pant was appointed DC’s captain ahead of the 2021 season of the IPL due to an injury to their regular captain, Shreyas Iyer back then. Pant was retained for the 2022 season and was entrusted with the leadership role. According to Ravi Shastri Pant is a composed leader like MS Dhoni.
MS Dhoni Is Pant’s Idol: Ravi Shastri
In a show on ESPNcricinfo Shastri said that Pant’s batting and captaincy are a lot different to each other. “The thing I like about him the most is that his batting and his captaincy are not the same. As a captain, he is a lot more composed. His idol is MS Dhoni, so he tries to do a lot of things like him. Even if you watch him before the game, his practice and work ethics are a lot similar to Dhoni. So, he’s very composed and very calm,” said Shastri on Pant.
Shastri also said that he liked the way Pant used Kuldeep Yadav against MI. “He used Kuldeep brilliantly and also made good bowling changes. He is a street-smart cricketer and yes, he will learn a lot more,” Shastri told ESPNcricinfo.
Rishabh Pant has played great knocks for DC over the years since joining them in 2016 but he has not been at his best over the last couple of seasons as his strike rate has dropped considerably. When asked about this, Shastri said, “Rishabh is not a sort of player who will be under pressure. He is always going to play his natural game. The way Rishabh plays, being consistent is not easy because he will take chances. He takes care of the strike rate because he comes to bat at no.4, where you have to take the run-scoring up. So, it’s a high-risk game there. If he performs, he can cover up his strike rate issue in a single inning.”
The DC management would hope that Pant plays his natural game when they face Gujarat Titans in their next game on Saturday.
