Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has picked Rishabh Pant to be the X-factor for Delhi Capitals in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Pant was recently appointed the Delhi Capitals captain after regular skipper Shreyas Iyer got ruled of IPL 2021 with a shoulder injury.
Pant will have to fill in the big shoes of Iyer, who took DC to their maiden IPL final last season where they lost to Mumbai Indians.
But Parthiv is confident that the Delhi wicketkeeper-batsman will lead from the front now that he has more responsibility on his shoulders.
“I think Rishabh Pant (will be the X-factor for DC). Because if he wasn’t in his best of form last season, this year the way he has batted for India, I think he carries a lot of confidence with him and that's what you want when you are playing a T20 game.
"You don't want any doubts in your mind and especially a player like Rishabh Pant. So, I think Rishabh Pant will be probably hold the key for Delhi Capitals," Parthiv said on Star Sports’ show GAME PLAN.
Parthiv, who played 12 seasons in the IPL for top teams like Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore among others, also shed light on how Pant is slowly making a name for himself through his own game and not by copying or trying to be like MS Dhoni, against whom he will be playing his first match as DC captain next week.
"He was burdened with the comparison of MS Dhoni and he also tried to do that, but he himself is brilliant player. He doesn't have to worry about being like MS Dhoni. He can be better than MS Dhoni or he can win matches on his own every given time," Parthiv said.
Delhi Capitals will open their campaign against three-time champions Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on April 10.