Rishabh Pant is our leader, heart and soul of the team: Ricky Ponting

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New Delhi | A week before the 2023 season of the Indian Premier League, Delhi Capitals’ preparations have been dominated by the absence of their regular captain, batsman and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. Pant is going through his recovery process after being a victim of a car accident on 30 December 2022. Delhi head coach Ricky Ponting has been categorical that even if he is not with the team in the IPL, he will still be the heart and soul of the team.

Ponting said on the sidelines of an event on Friday, “I have not met him in person but I have spoken to Rishabh a few times in the last few months. I want to give him my time because he is going through a difficult time at the moment.” He is going to take a long time in his recovery.”

He said, “We want to keep him involved in Delhi Capitals in some way. I would like him to sit with me in the dug out in every match, but even if that is not possible, we would like to have him as a part of the team.”

Ponting said he plans to have Pant’s jersey number on the players’ shirts or caps to make his presence felt in the season.

“It’s all about how much we think about him and want him to be a part of this group again,” the Delhi Capitals coach said.

“To the fans, we just want to let them know what an integral part of us they are and how much we will miss them this season,” Ponting said.

Delhi has not yet announced the name of the player who will replace Pant. Ponting said that a decision in this regard would be taken after the trial matches on March 25 and 28. Delhi’s first match will be against Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow on April 1.

Ponting also said that Sarfaraz Khan, who has been keeping for Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, will join the Capitals on Friday.(IANS)

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