When the list of retained players was made public in January, Delhi Daredevils named Rishabh Pant along with Chris Morris and Shreyas Iyer. The management showed immense faith in the southpaw as they looked to form their core. Pant had scored 366 runs in the 2017 edition of the VIVO IPL and the DD management, led by Ricky Ponting, knew there was no way they could let him go.
Coming into this season, Pant worked on his game with the help of his coach Tarak Sinha. Team India head coach Ravi Shastri was also advising him. He was focused on boosting his returns in comparison to last year where his form, while impressive, was nevertheless patchy.
In nine matches this season, the lad from Uttarakhand has already amassed 375 runs at an average of 41.66. That’s nine more than his tally in 14 games last season! His strike-rate of 180.28 is the highest among batsmen who have scored more than 300 runs so far. Be it in the powerplay, middle overs or death, Pant’s strike-rate doesn’t fall below 150. The 20-year-old has responded positively to the responsibility given to him. He and newly-appointed skipper Iyer have been at the forefront, whether the Daredevils are chasing or setting targets.
If one were to analyse Pant from a technical point of view, there are a few flaws that you may be able to point out. But what he may lack in technique, he more than makes up for in raw power.
.@RishabPant777 - Unorthodox and brutal! ๐๐ป#DilDilli #Dhadkega #DDvRR pic.twitter.com/oEwseGYNXw
— Delhi Daredevils (@DelhiDaredevils) May 3, 2018
This power helps him bully attacks. It also enabled him to notch up the fastest T20 hundred by an Indian (32 balls). Against Rajasthan, he smashed the fastest 50 by a DD player this season. Anyone who has followed him this campaign will know it’s not surprising. He has taken a 360-degree approach to batting and is incredibly flexible at the crease.
With free-flowing boundaries and sixes which sailed comfortably into the stands, @RishabPant777 scored runs all around the Kotla! ๐ช๐ป
— Delhi Daredevils (@DelhiDaredevils) May 3, 2018
For more information ๐๐ป https://t.co/f0iBcqMljW#DilDilli #Dhadkega #DDvRR pic.twitter.com/7ytIB76wqe
One such shot in his innings against Rajasthan Royals came off the bowling of Ben Stokes, and he showed his Power-Pant-i. Reacting to a slow cutter bowled outside off, Pant didn’t reach to the pitch of the ball but still went ahead with the shot, launching it over extra-cover for a six.
The 2018 VIVO IPL is soon approaching the business end, and the team management will be hoping that Pant continues his great run of form. More importantly, they would want him to help the team get over the line and into the playoffs.
When the list of retained players was made public in January, Delhi Daredevils named Rishabh Pant along with Chris Morris and Shreyas Iyer. The management showed immense faith in the southpaw as they looked to form their core. Pant had scored 366 runs in the 2017 edition of the VIVO IPL and the DD management, led by Ricky Ponting, knew there was no way they could let him go.
Coming into this season, Pant worked on his game with the help of his coach Tarak Sinha. Team India head coach Ravi Shastri was also advising him. He was focused on boosting his returns in comparison to last year where his form, while impressive, was nevertheless patchy.
In nine matches this season, the lad from Uttarakhand has already amassed 375 runs at an average of 41.66. That’s nine more than his tally in 14 games last season! His strike-rate of 180.28 is the highest among batsmen who have scored more than 300 runs so far. Be it in the powerplay, middle overs or death, Pant’s strike-rate doesn’t fall below 150. The 20-year-old has responded positively to the responsibility given to him. He and newly-appointed skipper Iyer have been at the forefront, whether the Daredevils are chasing or setting targets.
If one were to analyse Pant from a technical point of view, there are a few flaws that you may be able to point out. But what he may lack in technique, he more than makes up for in raw power.
.@RishabPant777 - Unorthodox and brutal! ๐๐ป#DilDilli #Dhadkega #DDvRR pic.twitter.com/oEwseGYNXw
— Delhi Daredevils (@DelhiDaredevils) May 3, 2018
This power helps him bully attacks. It also enabled him to notch up the fastest T20 hundred by an Indian (32 balls). Against Rajasthan, he smashed the fastest 50 by a DD player this season. Anyone who has followed him this campaign will know it’s not surprising. He has taken a 360-degree approach to batting and is incredibly flexible at the crease.
With free-flowing boundaries and sixes which sailed comfortably into the stands, @RishabPant777 scored runs all around the Kotla! ๐ช๐ป
— Delhi Daredevils (@DelhiDaredevils) May 3, 2018
For more information ๐๐ป https://t.co/f0iBcqMljW#DilDilli #Dhadkega #DDvRR pic.twitter.com/7ytIB76wqe
One such shot in his innings against Rajasthan Royals came off the bowling of Ben Stokes, and he showed his Power-Pant-i. Reacting to a slow cutter bowled outside off, Pant didn’t reach to the pitch of the ball but still went ahead with the shot, launching it over extra-cover for a six.
The 2018 VIVO IPL is soon approaching the business end, and the team management will be hoping that Pant continues his great run of form. More importantly, they would want him to help the team get over the line and into the playoffs.
