Delhi Capitals fielding coach Biju George hailed Rishabh Pant ahead of India’s opener in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Pant scored a fine fifty in the warm-up match against Bangladesh on Saturday before the T20 World Cup. Pant, who batted at number three, scored a brilliant knock of 53 runs off just 32 balls at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York.
It wasn’t the easiest of pitches to bat on but Pant batted at the top of his game. The left-hander scored four fours and as many sixes and he was India’s best batter. His knock also helped India in putting a par score of 182 runs on the board, and the Rohit Sharma-led team went on to win by 60 runs.
Pant has been in fine form as he delivered for Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2024.The southpaw scored 446 runs in 13 matches at an average of 40.55 and a strike rate of 155.40. The left-hander batted at his best in the recently concluded season and he is going to hold the key in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
“As a batter, he’s got that ability to explore angles which a normal batter doesn’t. He gets into different positions and is so strong that he can connect with the ball to hit sixes – one-handed, off-balance, or while falling – you name it, he’s done it. He can bat at number three or four and can even be a finisher – a left-handed batter with so much power.
“When he is set and going, there’s no limit to what he can do; he’s very, very destructive. During the IPL, people were targeting his stumps as everyone knew he would hit shots through point or cover if someone bowls outside the off-stump to him. So, he was using that angle and it was not like, he’s leg-side dominant,” says Biju George, the Delhi Capitals’ fielding coach, in a conversation with IANS.
George reckons Pant has become fitter and stronger after suffering multiple injuries in the horrific car accident.
“If you talk about just before that incident and now, he’s become much better. He’s leaner and fitter now. I first met him when he was around 19 or 20 at the NCA wicketkeepers’ camp. The shape and fitness levels he had at that time, now it can be said he’s at the same level, as also his skillset is supreme.
“His mind is very, very strong and very focused on what he has to do on the field. He has now realised how fragile life can be and is now enjoying every moment of it. At the ground, he is ready to give every bit of himself towards every ball. Plus, he’s so intense now while fielding, keeping and batting every ball.
The fielding coach was surprised by Pant’s wicket-keeping in the IPL. The DC captain was earlier expected to take the gloves in the second phase of the tournament but proved everyone wrong.
“I was really surprised as I never thought he would get up and keep wickets during the initial phases of the IPL. Probably, the plan discussed with the trainer was to field at mid-off or mid-on, where there is not much lateral movement.
“Once he would get used to the load, he would start keeping, probably in the second phase of the IPL. But I was surprised with the way he came good in keeping right from the first day, and his stumping of Jitesh Sharma at Mullanpur was amazing.
India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5th.
