Delhi Capitals’ skipper Rishabh Pant made a striking statement in the Indian Premier League (IPL) against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), scoring an impressive fifty, his first in the tournament since recovering from a severe road accident in December 2022.
Pant’s innings of 51 off 32 balls, studded with four fours and three sixes, including a signature one-handed maximum, propelled DC to a commendable total of 191 for five. This robust performance laid the foundation for a 20-run victory over CSK, underlining Pant’s critical role in the team’s success.
Reflecting on his journey back to cricket’s elite after the mishap and the hiatus that followed, Pant shared, “One and a half years… this is something I have built my life on. I still have to keep learning as a cricketer,” emphasizing his continuous quest for improvement and his unwavering self-belief.
“I had self-belief that whatever happens, I have to come back to the ground and I didn’t think about anything else,” Pant remarked during the post-match presentation.
Despite a slow start, Pant found his rhythm towards the innings’ conclusion, accelerating to add 43 runs in the final three overs. He acknowledged the initial challenges, stating, “As a cricketer, I’ve to give my 100 percent. Took some time initially as I haven’t played much cricket in the last 1.5 years.”
Pant also took a moment to praise his bowlers, particularly Khaleel Ahmed and Mukesh Kumar, whose efforts (2/21 and 3/21, respectively) were instrumental in restricting CSK to 171 for six. Highlighting the team’s strategic execution, Pant noted, “Bowlers have been clinical today. We’ve learnt from our mistake.”
Discussing the roles of Ahmed and Kumar, Pant suggested flexibility in their deployment, “It will depend on match to match, but if Mukesh can bowl at the death, it’ll be great,” indicating a strategic approach tailored to each game’s specific conditions.
Pant also commended Prithvi Shaw, who scored a brisk 27-ball 43 in his season debut. “He’s been working hard from the last two weeks. We thought it’s time to give him a chance, and he flourished,” said Pant, highlighting Shaw’s preparation and the decision-making behind his inclusion.
On the opposing side, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad remained optimistic despite the setback. He rationalized the loss as a part of the game’s ebb and flow, “After two good games, you can expect the third game to go below par, and that’s nothing to worry about,” suggesting that minor adjustments could have altered the match’s outcome.
Gaikwad lauded his bowlers for their comeback, particularly after DC’s strong start, and noted the pitch conditions as a factor.
Player-of-the-match Khaleel Ahmed attributed his performance to rigorous preparation, “I have worked hard in the domestic season… Played a lot of matches in the last six months which has helped me know my game better.”
