Chandigarh: Rishabh Pant's resilient return to the cricket field in multiple roles will be the focus when Delhi Capitals (DC) take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their IPL opener here on Saturday, both teams hoping to erase the disappointment of below-par performances in the last season.
Pant's miraculous escape from a life-threatening car crash in December, 2022, has now become a tale of perseverance after the big-hitting wicketkeeper-batter made a faster than expected recovery to be back in action.
He has been cleared to play as a keeper-batter and has the additional responsibility of captaining the side, taking back the position from David Warner, who led DC to a disappointing ninth-place finish in the 10-team tournament last year.
"He (Pant) has probably batted more in the last week than he has ever batted leading into most of the IPLs. I think from his point of view, he wants to get a bit of trust back in his body again," said DC coach Ricky Ponting ahead of the match to be played at the newly-constructed Maharaja Yadavindra Singh cricket stadium in Mullanpur here.
It has taken 15 months of hard work, courage and determination for Pant to be ready to lead DC again. His return is a huge shot in the arm for the team whose best-ever performance in the IPL till date is a runners-up finish in 2020.
It is not yet clear whether Pant will start his keeping duties immediately. In case he doesn't, DC will fall back on either West Indian Shai Hope or South African Tristan Stubbs.
DC have a potent fast bowling arsenal, backed up by an explosive batting line-up.
Warner, who recently retired from the Test cricket, will be hoping to make a mark and secure a spot in the T20 World Cup-bound Australian side.
In Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Marsh, Pant and Stubbs, DC have explosive batting line-up, while their bowling attack will be led by Anrich Nortje in the company of Indian veteran Ishant Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel.
The Punjab trophy cabinet is empty too. They have made it to the final only once, in 2014, losing to Kolkata Knight Riders on that occasion.
After finishing sixth for four consecutive seasons between 2019 and 2022, PBKS dropped to eighth in 2023, and will look to turn things around this time.
In Shikhar Dhawan, PBKS have a skipper who would be desperate to prove a point after being sidelined from the national set-up.
PBKS have a new vice-captain in Jitesh Sharma. Jonny Bairstow's form would be a concern though.
The side has some feisty all-rounders in Sikandar Raza, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone and Rishi Dhawan while the bowling attack will be led by Kagiso Rabada in the company of Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel and Nathan Ellis.
But they have rarely come together as a unit to go the distance, making DC the favourites for the day game.
The teams (from): Delhi Capitals: Rishabh Pant (capt), David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Swastik Chikara, Yash Dhull, Anrich Nortje, Ishant Sharma, Jhye Richardson, Khaleel Ahmed, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Pravin Dubey, Rasikh Dar, Vicky Ostwal, Axar Patel, Jake Fraser-cGurk, Lalit Yadav, Mitchell Marsh, Sumit Kumar, Abishek Porel, Kumar Kushagra, Rickey Bhui, Shai Hope, Tristan Stubbs.
Punjab Kings: Shikhar Dhawan (capt), Jitesh Sharma, Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh, Liam Livingstone, Harpreet Bhatia, Rilee Rossouw, Shashank Singh, Chris Woakes, Vishwanath Pratap Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, Tanay Thyagarajan, Atharva Taide, Rishi Dhawan, Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Shivam Singh, Prince Choudhary, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada, Nathan Ellis, Rahut Chahar, Vidwath Kaverappa, Harshal Patel.
Match starts at 3.30 pm IST
