The Delhi-based franchise found a unique way to feel the presence of their regular captain Rishabh Pant during their first match of the Indian T20 League 2023 against Lucknow. Pant’s shirt, with the number 17 written on it, was seen being hung just above the heads of the team members sitting in the dugout to get the feeling of being with him.
Delhi’s head coach Ricky Ponting earlier said that he will try to have Pant in their dugout for their all home games as it will be a special feeling for the entire team. It’d be interesting whether he will join the team or not. Meanwhile, Ponting also talked about the captaincy role, which is now given to David Warner after Pant was ruled out of the tournament
“I have spoken to Rishabh a bit. We are hoping to get him involved this season. I’d love to have him at all our home games. Having him in our dugout or our changing room will be very special. However, David Warner will do a great job. He has been a successful franchise cricket captain in the past. He’s excited to lead the team as well.” Ponting was quoted as saying by The Print.
It was a lot of fun to work with him in 2019: Ricky Ponting about Sourav Ganguly
Pant is still recovering from his injury these days and he is at his residence in Delhi these days. It is believed that he may be present in the dugout with the team in the matches to be held at Delhi’s home ground. On the other hand, against Lucknow, the Delhi franchise included Sarfaraz Khan in the playing XI for wicketkeeping in place of Pant.
Ponting also talked about working with former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly. “I have spoken to Sourav about the players we’ve got, possible line-ups, possible keepers, and things like that. He has always got some good things to say to the players during training. It was a lot of fun to work with him in 2019 and we won a lot of games,” he said.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Such a sweet gesture 🥺❤️
— 𝐃𝐢𝐲𝐚🤍 (@Shravya7256_) April 1, 2023
Ye bhi koi tarika hai Sympathy lene ka
— Ishu (@PocketDynamoo) April 1, 2023
A shirt in the dug out for pant
— sos (@Rohittssh) April 1, 2023
Speaks volumes.
— Yuvraj Singh Guleria (@cheersYSG) April 1, 2023
Rishabh pant dilli ki fielding dekh ke gaaliyan de rha hga..
— Aditya (@aditya10on9) April 1, 2023
Size dekh ke jersey laaya Karo mc yo 😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/LPbirYWBv5
— 🧑🎄 (@hrathod__) April 1, 2023
Sorry but it feels like something else 😬
— 𝗬𝗢𝗨 (@Sorry__Bitch) April 1, 2023
Ye kab mar gya??
— Ishan Raghuvanshi (@Ishan_IR7) April 1, 2023
