The 5-match T20I series which will be played between India and South Africa will start from today (June 9) and the first match of the series will be played at Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi. The skipper of the Indian team Rohit Sharma has been rested along with the senior players – Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah and in Hitman’s absence, KL Rahul was chosen to lead the team.
However, things have changed a little as Rahul won’t be able to play the series because of his right groin injury and now Rishabh Pant will be leading the Indian team against South Africa in all the 5 T20I matches. It was definitely a pleasant surprise for 24 years old Rishabh Pant, who was earlier appointed as deputy of KL Rahul in the series, because he got to know about it after reaching Arun Jaitley stadium for practice session.
Rishabh Pant is not new to captaincy as he is the skipper of Delhi Ranji team but on being asked in a press conference as to how he is feeling after knowing that he will be leading the Indian team in the series, he says that he is still not able to digest it as he got the news just an hour ago. Pant says that though it has not happened in good circumstances, it is a good feeling and he is happy. He thanks the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for showing faith in him and also thanks his supporters for standing by him through thick and thin. He also adds that he would keep trying to improve himself and make his life better.
Rishabh Pant who has been leading Delhi Capitals in the IPL for the last two seasons states that playing as a captain in the IPL will be of great help to him because when a person does something regularly, he keeps on improving. He adds that he is one of those who learn from their mistakes and it will surely help him in the future.
Talking about the Indian team’s preparation for the T20I World Cup, he says that as a team they have certain goals in mind and it is quite obvious that they are preparing for the World Cup. He goes on to say that soon everyone will notice changes in the manner in which they play cricket.
Other than KL Rahul, spinner Kuldeep Yadav will also not feature in the series as he has got his right arm injured during the net sessions but till now no replacement has been named by the selectors.
Will the national team achieve success under Rishabh Pant’s leadership? What do you think?