DC coach Ricky Ponting feels that the run chase against KKR was the perfect scenario for Rishabh Pant as he continues to impress upon his return to the cricketing field. Pant made his comeback after his lengthy layoff during the ongoing edition of the IPL and has found form in the last two matches. The DC skipper scored a blazing fifty in the win over CSK and followed it up with a valiant knock against KKR.
Chasing 273 for the win, Pant played a brilliant knock of 55 from 25 balls, including an over where he hit Venkatesh Iyer for 28 runs. His innings consisted of 4 boundaries and 5 sixes and gave some entertainment to the DC fans in the end. Speaking after the match, Ponting said that this was the ideal situation for Pant as he needed to get back some confidence. The DC coach also felt that the signs are positive for the Indian wicketkeeper as he performed well in two consecutive matches.
"Pleased for him, what he did with the bat. A situation like that, where he had to go out and attack from the start is probably a scenario that he needed just to get some confidence back."
"He's actually had two good games with the bat now, which is great," said Ponting.
| DC vs KKR Highlights | Scorecard |
What is Pant's fitness situation?
The DC skipper did seem to be struggling a bit while running and had called out the physio as well. However, Ponting has brushed aside suggestions of any injury and said it might have been a little bit of cramp.
"I saw he called a physio out. It might have just been a bit of tiredness. Looked like he was moving pretty well when he batted. I think we should just concentrate on the way he batted tonight.
"I didn't see him hobbling at all after he called the physio out. I saw him doing a little bit of stretching, so there might be a little bit of cramp," the DC head coach said.
DC and Pant will now travel to Mumbai to face MI on April 7.
Published On:
Apr 4, 2024
English (US) ·