Cricket

Rishabh Pant's Scintillating Knock Inspires Delhi Capitals to VictoryIn a remarkable display of batting prowess, Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant returned to competitive cricket with a blistering 88-run knock against Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The match, held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, witnessed Pant's exceptional hitting, which propelled his team to a commanding 224 for 4.Pant, who had been sidelined for several months due to a car accident in 2022, showed no signs of rust as he took on the Gujarat Titans bowlers with aggression. His innings, which came off just 43 deliveries, was a masterclass in power-hitting, featuring five boundaries and eight towering sixes.One of the highlights of Pant's performance was his flawless execution of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's iconic helicopter shot. In the 15.1 over, Pant stood his ground against pacer Mohit Sharma's delivery and effortlessly dispatched the ball over the cow corner. The shot drew thunderous applause from the crowd and even prompted former India captain and Delhi Capitals' Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly to stand up and applaud.Pant's knock was complemented by a contrasting half-century from Axar Patel, who scored 52 off 38 balls. Together, the duo forged a formidable partnership that laid the foundation for Delhi Capitals' victory.The Gujarat Titans bowlers struggled to contain Pant's onslaught, with only Rashid Khan managing to take a wicket. However, the Delhi Capitals batsmen continued to dominate, with Prithvi Shaw (32) and David Warner (28) also contributing valuable runs.In the end, Delhi Capitals' total of 224 proved too much for Gujarat Titans, who were restricted to 180 for 8 in their chase. The victory was a testament to Pant's exceptional batting and the team's overall strength.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has been a hotbed of speculation regarding player selection for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. With the Indian cricket team announcement for the marquee event just a week away, the competition for slots is fierce. However, based on current form, Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant appears to have all but secured his spot as the number one wicketkeeper-batter.After recovering from a serious car crash injury, Pant has showcased his exceptional skills behind the stumps and maintained consistency with his batting. However, his performance against Gujarat Titans' Mohit Sharma in the last over of their recent match was nothing short of extraordinary.DC began the final over at 193/4 and ended it on 224/4, thanks to Pant's explosive batting. He smashed 6, 4, 6, 6, and 6 off the last five deliveries, leaving GT in a state of shock. The DC star remained unbeaten on 88* off just 43 balls.In the same match, Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel played contrasting fifties to propel Delhi Capitals to a formidable total of 224 for 4 against Gujarat Titans. After medium pacer Sandeep Warrier (3/15) dismissed the top three batsmen, Axar (66 off 43 balls) and Pant (88 not out of 43 balls) forged a crucial 113-run partnership to stabilize the innings.Pant was in his element, hitting eight maximums and five fours. Tristan Stubbs also contributed with a quickfire 26 off 7 balls.With his impressive performances, Pant has emerged as a strong contender for the wicketkeeper-batter role in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024. His ability to combine aggressive batting with reliable wicketkeeping makes him a valuable asset to any team.

As the Delhi Capitals (DC) team bus approached the Arun Jaitley Stadium for their scheduled practice session, a downpour forced a delay. The respite provided cooler conditions for the Rishabh Pant-led side, allowing Pant and head coach Ricky Ponting to engage in intense discussions with their fast bowlers: Khaleel Ahmed, Anrich Nortje, Mukesh Kumar, and Ishant Sharma.These talks stemmed from the alarming number of runs conceded by DC's bowlers in recent matches. Against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), they surrendered 272 runs, while Mumbai Indians (MI) amassed 234. In their latest encounter with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Delhi's bowlers were punished for 266 runs in 20 overs.The next challenge for DC's bowlers is the Gujarat Titans (GT), who will be playing on a pitch that has witnessed high-scoring matches in the past. GT captain Shubman Gill, coach Ashish Nehra, and Pant were seen examining the wicket, anticipating another run-fest.Amidst the batting-friendly conditions, Pant himself will be eager to capitalize. He is currently DC's leading scorer with 254 runs in eight innings, striking at an impressive 150.29. His fitness and wicketkeeping skills have also improved significantly.Pant's performances are crucial as he aims to secure a spot in India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. "His batting is getting better," said Ponting. "He is too good a player and can have too much of an impact on the game for India."However, Pant faces competition from Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, Jitesh Sharma, and Dinesh Karthik for the wicketkeeper-batter role. To strengthen his case, Pant needs to maintain his consistency and increase his tempo.The previous encounter between DC and GT in Ahmedabad resulted in a lopsided victory for Delhi, who bowled out Gujarat for a mere 89 runs and chased down the target in 8.5 overs. The Capitals will be hoping for a similar outcome in their upcoming match.

Rishabh Pant's Stellar IPL Return Boosts T20 World Cup Hopes, Backed by LegendsAfter a harrowing car accident that sidelined him for 14 months, Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has made a triumphant return to the Indian Premier League (IPL). His impressive performances have reignited calls for his inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad.Sourav Ganguly, Delhi Capitals' Director of Cricket, expressed his support for Pant's selection, stating that his ability to hit "big sixes" sets him apart. "I feel Pant is definitely in that bracket. And I am sure he will go to the West Indies," Ganguly said.Delhi Capitals' head coach Ricky Ponting echoed Ganguly's sentiments, praising Pant's batting and leadership skills. "I think his batting is getting better and better by the game," Ponting said. "He is too good a player and can have too much of an impact on the game for India not to select him in the squad."Pant's return to form has been remarkable. In eight IPL matches, he has scored 254 runs with two half-centuries, showcasing his aggressive batting style and impressive wicketkeeping skills.Despite the intense competition for places in India's T20 World Cup squad, Pant's recent performances have strengthened his case for selection. His ability to play match-winning innings and his experience in high-pressure situations make him a valuable asset to any team.Pant's return to the international stage would be a testament to his resilience and determination. After the horrific accident that threatened his career, he has worked tirelessly to regain his fitness and form. His inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad would be a fitting reward for his hard work and a boost to India's title hopes.

Sourav Ganguly and Ricky Ponting, two legendary cricketers, have expressed their belief that Rishabh Pant should be included in India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Their assessment is based on Pant's impressive performances in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL)."Yes, I think so, Pant should be part of the World Cup squad," Ganguly stated at a media roundtable. "He should bat in the middle-order. Where exactly is difficult to say because of match-ups, right-left combinations depending on who bowls. It also depends on the situation."Ponting echoed Ganguly's sentiments, noting that Pant has shown significant improvement throughout the IPL season. "He's starting to get a bit more trust and belief in his body as well," Ponting said. "I think early on he had been a little bit apprehensive as to what he could do, especially with the wicketkeeping side of it. With his batting, coming into the tournament, he had pretty good trust in his abilities."Pant, who returned to competitive cricket after a 15-month layoff due to a car crash, has amassed 254 runs in eight innings at an impressive strike rate of 150.29. He has predominantly batted in the middle order and has kept wickets in every game.However, Pant faces competition for a spot in the squad from Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, and Jitesh Sharma. Additionally, Dinesh Karthik has also staked his claim with some exceptional performances for Royal Challengers Bangalore.Another key question for the Indian selectors is the opening combination. Rohit Sharma is expected to open, but the identity of his partner remains uncertain. Yashasvi Jaiswal is the incumbent, but his recent form has been underwhelming.Ganguly believes that India should adopt an aggressive approach at the T20 World Cup, similar to the one employed by Rohit Sharma in the 50-over World Cup. "They have the talent to do that," Ganguly said. "We saw how Rohit batted at the 50-overs World Cup. He just came and hit from ball one and we were able to put so much pressure on the opposition in the first seven-eight overs. It gave breathing space for the lower order."Ganguly also commented on KL Rahul's struggles in T20 cricket, suggesting that he needs to find a method that suits his abilities. "I think it depends on what the captain and the coach instruct him to do in the middle," Ganguly said. "The other day I saw him play an innings against Chennai [Super Kings], which Lucknow [Super Giants] won. I thought he was exceptional. He played well at the top of the order and did exactly that was required to do."

With the T20 World Cup 2024 fast approaching, the race for spots in India's final squad is intensifying. The battle for batting and bowling positions is heating up, but the question of who will don the wicket-keeping gloves remains unanswered. Here are the top contenders for India's wicket-keeper role in the upcoming tournament:Rishabh Pant:Despite his modest T20I average and strike rate, Pant's impressive form in IPL 2024 has made him a strong contender. After a lengthy absence due to injury, Pant has returned with a bang, captaining Delhi Capitals to a strong start. His 210 runs in seven matches, including two fifties, have showcased his explosive batting and leadership skills.Sanju Samson:Samson's T20I record for India is underwhelming, but his performances in the IPL have been exceptional. Currently fourth in the Orange Cap list with 276 runs, Samson has struck three fifties, including an unbeaten 82. His average of 55.20 and strike rate of 155.06 make him a formidable candidate for the wicket-keeper role.Ishan Kishan:After a brief hiatus, Kishan has returned to form in IPL 2024. The explosive left-hander has scored 184 runs in six matches for Mumbai Indians, including a best of 69. With a T20I average of 25.67 and six fifties, Kishan has proven his ability to perform at the international level.KL Rahul:Rahul is the least likely of these players to make the T20 World Cup squad. His recent form in T20Is has been underwhelming, and he has struggled in IPL 2024, scoring only 204 runs in six matches. However, a strong second half of the tournament could boost his chances of sneaking into the squad.

The upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 has sparked intense discussions regarding India's squad selection, particularly for the wicket-keeping position. With the announcement expected in early May, several contenders are vying for the role, including Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant, and Sanju Samson. KL Rahul, who has been considered both as a specialist batter and a wicket-keeping option, is also in the mix.Legendary Australian wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist weighed in on Rahul's World Cup chances, emphasizing the importance of focusing on present performances rather than dwelling on the future. "He needs to think - How am I going to win this tournament for my franchise? How am I going to win it tonight? I know there is this overarching shadow of the World Cup, but win the IPL, be the best player you can be in winning the IPL, and you'll be on the plane if you're in the narrative of selecting," Gilchrist advised.Meanwhile, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting expressed his concerns about the IPL's 'Impact Player' rule. "This Impact Player is taking the all-rounders out of the game a little bit," Ponting said. He explained that teams can now field specialist batsmen down to number eight, potentially reducing the value of all-rounders. However, Ponting acknowledged that the rule aims to entertain spectators and suggested that its continuation should be based on fan feedback.As the IPL progresses, the performances of these players will be closely scrutinized as the selectors finalize their World Cup squad. Rahul's ability to contribute both with the bat and behind the stumps will be a key factor in his selection, while Kishan, Pant, and Samson will need to showcase their consistency and match-winning abilities. The 'Impact Player' rule will also be a topic of discussion, with its potential impact on team strategies and the role of all-rounders.

Delhi Capitals' hopes of securing a playoff berth in IPL 2024 suffered a major setback after their disappointing defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday. The loss dropped them to seventh place in the points table, with only three wins in eight games.Chasing a challenging target of 267, Delhi Capitals' captain Rishabh Pant failed to provide the impetus, scoring a slow-paced 44 off 35 balls. His lackluster performance drew criticism from fans, who questioned his decision to bat at No. 6 instead of his usual No. 4 position.Despite spirited contributions from Jake Fraser McGurk (65 off 18) and Abhishek Porel (42 off 22), Delhi Capitals struggled to maintain momentum after losing their openers. The team's inability to accelerate the run chase effectively raised concerns about Pant's leadership decisions.Sunrisers Hyderabad, on the other hand, set a formidable tone with their batting display. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma amassed a record-breaking 125 runs in the first six overs, laying the groundwork for their team's imposing total of 266/7.Following the disappointing loss, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar offered words of consolation to Pant during the post-match presentation. "I never want your head down, there are lots of games so keep a smile always," Gavaskar told Pant, who responded, "I will try my best, sir."As Delhi Capitals aim to recover from this setback, the scrutiny on Pant's form and leadership decisions intensifies. The team faces challenges in regaining momentum in the remainder of the IPL season.

Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant has once again lived up to the "babysitter" tag given to him by former Australia skipper Tim Paine. In a heartwarming video posted by DC on their official Instagram handle, Pant can be seen sharing a special moment with the children of the team's overseas players during the ongoing IPL 2024.The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows Pant interacting with the kids, playing with them, and even feeding them. The incident has reminded many cricket fans of the time when Paine asked Pant if he could babysit for him and his wife after the 2019 India-Australia series.Paine later revealed that the "babysitter" sledge was a strategy agreed upon by the team to distract Pant and break his concentration. However, the incident ended on a positive note when Paine's wife posted a picture on social media showing Pant with their children.On the field, Pant has been in impressive form for Delhi Capitals, leading the team to a six-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in their last match. Pant played a crucial role in the victory, both as a batter and a wicket-keeper.After the match, Pant expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, saying, "Lots of things to be pleased about. We talked about the champion thought process and our team showed today that we can play like that and really happy to see that."Pant also praised the team's bowling attack, saying, "Definitely one of the best, it's early on in the tournament, can't say much as we can improve individually."The Delhi Capitals skipper emphasized the importance of taking one game at a time, saying, "We just want to enjoy our win, one at a time and move forward learning from it."