Ricky Ponting, Delhi Capitals coach, wants Rishabh Pan in the dugout every single day in the forthcoming IPL.
After surviving a terrible car accident in December’s last week, India wicketkeeper and DC skipper Pant was forced to withdraw from the IPL. He is currently in recovery after a series of operations in Mumbai.
You can’t replace these guys. Players like these don’t grow from trees. We’ve got to look at – and we already are – a replacement to come into the squad, a wicketkeeper-batsman.
Ponting stated that even if he isn’t physically fit enough to play, he would still be a great addition to our team.” Ponting made the comment on the ICC Review.
He is a cultural leader in the group. Being the captain of the group, his infectious smile and laughter are what we love about him.
“If he can travel and be with the team, then I would love him to sit beside me in the dugout every single day.
“I will make sure that he is there when we meet in Delhi to start our camps. If he can’t, then I want him there the entire time.”
India will play Australia in a highly anticipated four-Test Border–Gavaskar Trophy series. The two countries are also on track to meet again at the ICC World Test Championship final in June.
Ponting believes that Pant will be a major loss for India against Australia.
Ponting said, “I think he is ranked in top six-seven Test batsmen worldwide.” (Pant is currently seventh on the ICC men’s Test batting rankings).
He was a T20 and one-day cricketer at first, but it has turned out to be the opposite. His achievements in Test cricket are remarkable.
“Even the series against Australia, the four Test series there, we all know how he played against Australia last time.
“He would have looked forward to that series, as the rest of the universe would have been anticipating his play.”
