After forcing the hosts (GT) to settle for their lowest IPL total of 89, the Delhi Capitals looked to have turned around their IPL 2024 campaign with a commanding victory by six wickets with a whopping 67 deliveries remaining.
But DC captain Rishabh Pant was the game’s most impressive performer. In addition to scoring a quick 16 off 11 in the run chase, Pant also showed off his excellent glovework, holding onto a spectacular diving grab to his left to dismiss Miller and a reverse-cup to remove GT’s highest-scoring player, Rashid Khan. Because of his performance behind the wickets, he was declared the Player of the Match. He also managed two stumpings in a single over.
All bowlers save for left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav took at least one wicket for themselves; Yadav and Ishant Sharma shared the match’s most economical bowler award. DC’s net run rate increased dramatically as a result of four of their batters’ quick cameos, all of whom scored in the neighborhood of 15-20 runs.
Speaking on Star Sports Cricket Live, former English cricketer Kevin Pietersen expressed his admiration for Rishabh Pant’s athleticism.
He said that it will give Pant and the Indian team renewed confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup in June of this year. Pietersen played for DC (then DD) from 2012 to 2014. Notably, during the last few weeks, a number of rumors have appeared indicating that Pant is the clear favorite to be the Indian team’s wicketkeeper. Pietersen said that it would be beneficial for Pant to receive some crucial game experience, particularly after recovering from a horrendous injury.
His ability to move around will be a huge source of inspiration for him and Team India. Like everyone recovering from an injury, he obviously needs playing time. Game time is important for him because he is recovering from a severe injury. He should play the next 14–15 IPL games to get ready for the T20 World Cup, as these games are important to play before the T20 World Cup. Pietersen stated on Star Sports Cricket Live, “If he plays that much cricket, he will be ready.”
And Delhi effectively buried GT in the powerplay by doing just that: Kevin Pietersen about the DC bowlers
Pietersen was really impressed with the way Pant used his pacers and organized his men. The English batsman was pleased that Pant stuck with his new-ball bowlers, who, in contrast to other captains, destroyed GT during the powerplay by taking four wickets in the first six overs.
Also read: Shubman Gill acknowledges GT’s subpar batting effort against DC, saying, “I don’t think there was anything wrong with the pitch.”
You want to see one bowler bowl an over and another bowl another, so the first three bowlers this evening really bowled well, and Rishabh Pant did a great job organizing his team. Pietersen continued, “They keep switching up, bowling in the first powerplay with five or six bowlers, but Rishabh Pant said no, I’m going to support my strike bowlers and I’m going to support the guys that are doing well for me; they are very good with the new ball, and I want them to really bury GT.”
India
