MI vs DC: Rishabh Pant still learning about captaincy, says Ricky Ponting after DC crash out of IPL 2022
India Today
Delhi Capitals crashed out of the Indian Premier League after losing to Mumba Indians in their final game. Head coach Ricky Ponting came out to review their season and find reasons behind why Delhi were not able to make it to the playoffs this season.
Delhi Capitals were knocked out of the Indian Premier League 2022 after losing their final league stage game against Mumbai Indians on Saturday, 21 May. Delhi were taken apart by a Tim David knock in the final overs of the game. Blame fell on captain Rishabh Pant after the game as social media users pointed out that the Delhi Captain failed to take a crucial DRS call in the first ball against David, who had nicked the ball to the keeper in his very first ball of the innings.
However, Delhi Capitals coach, Ricky Ponting said that Pant was the right person to lead the team and he has done a fantastic job since taking up the role. Pant was forced to take up the captaincy after Shreyas Iyer broke his collarbone and had to be out for the majority of the 2021 season.
"Absolutely, no doubt in my mind that Rishabh even in the last season he was the right choice for captain. Rishabh did a terrific job with the team after he took over from Shreyas (Iyer) after he injured his shoulders," Ponting said during the press conference.
"He is just a young man and still learning captaincy. Being captain of a T20 team, especially in IPL, which is a high pressure tournament, is not easy thing to do and unfortunately, every single thing you do will be scrutinised. He certainly got my full backing," Ponting added.
"He can take a lot of learning and try and keep things simple, he has a great mind, he reads the game well from behind, and such fumbles can happen and it is important to not doubt yourself. He will comeback strong," Ponting said agreeing that Delhi failed to close the game correctly.
The legendary Australian further delved into the kind of season that DC had in the IPL and said that it was especially a difficult campaign due to the kind of season they had.
"We've had quite an interrupted season with Covid and injuries and other illnesses. It's been one of those up and down seasons, an inconsistent season," the coach said.
