‘Captaincy will suit him really well’ – Delhi Capitals’ Steve Smith on Rishabh Pant ahead of IPL 2021

Delhi Capitals’ new recruit Steve Smith has expressed his excitement to join the franchise’s preparation camp ahead of IPL 2021. The Australian batsman was bought by the Capitals’ in the auction for INR 2.2 crores. Delhi will open their campaign against Chennai Super Kings in Mumbai on April 10, 2021. 

Smith, in an interaction, revealed that he is excited to join fellow Australian Ricky Ponting, who is the head coach of the Capitals. The former Aussie skipper was one of the candidates who was looking at an opportunity to lead the franchise after Shreyas Iyer got injured and was ruled out of the upcoming season. 

However, Rishabh Pant was named the captain. Smith is coming into the set-up after leading the Rajasthan Royals franchise in the 2020 IPL. He was released from RR after last season. Smith also said that he believes that Delhi has a really good squad for the upcoming IPL. He is currently in quarantine and will join the Capitals’ team soon. 

I’m excited to see Rishabh Pant as captain. I think he is an incredible player: Steve Smith

“Yea, I’m excited to get started with Delhi in a couple of day’s time, once I get out of quarantine. I am looking forward to working with Ricky (Ponting), Rishabh, and the rest of the guys. I think we have got a really good squad. So, I can’t wait to get started,” Smith was quoted as saying. 

Talking about Pant’s promotion to the role of captaincy, Smith called the Indian wicketkeeper an incredible player. Smith noted that Pant has taken his game to the next level and captaincy will suit him. The young Pant has captained his state team Delhi in domestic cricket as well. 

Excited to see Rishabh Pant as captain pic.twitter.com/8CISMzRrqv

— StumpMic Cricket (@stumpmic_) April 7, 2021

“I’m excited to see Rishabh (Pant) as captain. I think he is an incredible player, as we have seen over the last few months. He has taken his game to a new level, and I think captaincy will suit him really well. So, excited to work underneath him, and hopefully, we can have a successful season,” Smith added. Earlier Ponting stated that if Smith gets a chance in the eleven, he would mostly bat in the top three. 

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