Delhi Capitals to remove Rishabh Pant as their captain? Ricky Ponting's latest update sends shivers

Australia and World cricket batting legend Ricky Ponting who has been serving as head coach of Delhi Capitals since 2018, said if Rishabh Pant is fully fit and available then DC will have a good time. As we know, Pant is on his way to gaining 100% fitness at the NCA and is yet to receive a clearance certificate, which is going to be necessary for his IPL participation.

Rishabh Pant’s situation is being closely watched by the NCA officials, the Indian national team as well as the Delhi Capitals. The explosive left-hander has made a significant amount of progress but for him to start getting back to the basics, he needs to be 100% pain-free and carefree about his body.

Ponting reveals Rishabh Pant’s role in IPL 2024 and encouraged with the practice games he has played

While speaking in a recent interview with ICC Review, Ricky Ponting revealed the talks going around in the DC camp regarding Pant and also the versatile role he is going to play amid fitness dilemmas.

“It’s a big decision we’ll have to make because if he is fit, you’d think he’d step straight back into that captaincy role. If he’s not entirely fit and we have to use him in a slightly different role, then we’ve got some decisions to make there.” – Ponting said via ICC review.

Ponting went on to express the encouragement within DC management after seeing Rishabh Pant playing practice matches at the NCA as well as his net sessions. The 49-year-old Aussie appreciated Pant for, working hard on his fitness, and getting to the required level, and also expressed a few concerns in case he remains unavailable for IPL 2024.

“He’s actually played some practice matches over the last couple of weeks, which has been really encouraging for us. I know he’s worked incredibly hard on his body and his fitness to get back to the level that he’s at now. He’s kept in one of those games, he’s fielded in these games and the batting hasn’t seemingly been an issue for him so far.”

“We’ve obviously had worries and concerns that he might not have made it in time to be ready for the IPL this year. I mean, he was a huge loss for us last year and what he went through, we can’t even begin to describe what he’s been through the last 12 or 14 months.” – Ponting added.

Ponting expresses eagerness to see Rishabh Pant back on the cricket field

Ricky Ponting concluded by saying that he is eagerly waiting to see the comeback of Rishabh Pant and that his eyes are longing to see him “exuberate his youthful” cricket, which is dangerously laced with plenty of flamboyance. Ponting didn’t want to sound selfish while hoping for a Pant return as soon as possible but he feels, the Delhi Capitals will have a good time if he returns.

“I’m very hopeful, not from a selfish point of view as the coach of the Delhi Capitals, but I want to see him back playing cricket again. I think the whole world wants to see him back playing cricket again and just playing with that youthful exuberance that he has. If he does that, then I know he’ll win some games for Delhi and we’ll have a good time along the way this season.” – Ponting concluded.