Mumbai, 22 March (Cricket News) Rishabh Pant's early career achievements have been remarkable, and the young wicketkeeper-batsman will only improve working alongside two-time World Cup champion Ricky Ponting, according to former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson.
Pant is the captain of the Ponting-coached Delhi Capitals.
"Without his leadership, Rishabh Pant's ability to accomplish what he has in the early stages of his cricket career…the things he has accomplished has been incredible," Watson said during the Delhi Capitals' virtual press conference to announce their collaboration with Royal Stag for the upcoming IPL season.
"It appears as though he's been around for a lengthy period of time. He can only improve and learn from his experiences," the DC assistant coach stated.
"For him to be given the opportunity to be a leader and to work with Ricky (Ponting), who was one of the best captains I ever had the pleasure of playing with. Ricky possesses the capacity to lead a team and inspire the finest performance from those around him. Rishabh is unquestionably surrounded by wonderful people," he remarked.
Pant is frequently compared to former India captain MS Dhoni, but Watson believes the two are diametrically opposed individuals and cricketers.
"The media and the public in general like to compare apples to apples, but each individual has their own set of skills and abilities, and while in an ideal world we might compare Rishabh to MS Dhoni, the two are completely different people and cricketers with amazing ability."
"Rishabh is a leader who is as cool, calm, and collected as the other person — MS Dhoni." Watson cautioned everyone against drawing similarities between Pant and Dhoni.
"In the end, all Rishabh can do is improve himself. At their peril, the fans and media may continue to compare him to the legendary MS Dhoni.
"However, for Rishabh and DC, what matters most is that he brings his best self as a player and leader." I'm excited to work with Pant, Shaw, and Shardul. Watson is looking forward to working alongside Pant, opener Prithvi Shaw, and all-rounder Shardul Thakur in the Capitals' intriguing group.
"I'm looking forward to getting to know Pant, determining what makes him tick, and determining how I can assist him in every way possible."
"Prithvi Shaw is a somebody who fascinates me. This young man possesses incredible talent. He possesses great ability.
"Another somebody with whom I'm looking forward to collaborating is Shardul Thakur," he continued. During his stint with the Chennai Super Kings, Watson shared a changing room with Thakur.
"At CSK, I worked with him (Thakur). He is an exceptionally skilled cricketer who is continually improving. We are witnessing his dexterity with the ball and a few glances with the bat. He is a true all-rounder across all formats, most notably T20." Watson believes the Capitals can win their first title this season due to their ability to assemble a good group.
"The group is the one thing that stands out for me. It is unquestionably one of the strongest, with both international and domestic talent," he remarked.
"DC has come dangerously close to winning the crown, and I believe they have what it takes to win. There are few holes in the squad, let alone the team." The depth of Indian talent is astounding. When asked about the arrival of two new teams, the Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans, Watson stated, "When two new teams enter, it dilutes the player pool slightly." Teams must recruit two additional players to fill the hole.
"Indian cricket is awe-inspiring in its depth. If there had been ten teams in IPL 1, 2, or 3, the talent pool would have been depleted, but the depth of Indian cricket means that you now have seven world-class players as indigenous Indian players, who are complemented by global stars." According to the former Australian all-rounder, the side that gets its combination right from the start has a decent chance of winning the title. "It will take teams half a season to figure out their combinations, and the team that does so the quickest will establish momentum and have a shot at the title."
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News Source : PTI
