'Let Rishabh Pant play aggressively, that's what brings out the best in him' - Ravi Shastri's message to DC management

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has opined that Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Rishabh Pant is not performing because the left-handed batter is unable to play his natural game. The veteran believes that the Capitals team management needs to let play Pant freely and let other senior players take some responsibility off him.

To note, Pant has scored just 144 runs in five matches in the current edition, but his strike rate is an excellent 146.94. Much to the surprise of everyone, the left-handed batter has not scored a fifty in IPL 2022, with (43) being his highest score so far. Pant has managed to play some short but sweet knocks but has not yet converted them for his team.

Talking about Pant’s numbers in IPL, the 24-year-old has played 89 matches in which he has amassed 2642 runs at an average of 35.23. Pant has also stroked 15 half-centuries and one hundred in the toughest franchise-based cricket league. Pant was appointed as DC captain during the last edition of IPL.

He should forget that he is the captain of DC: Shastri on Pant

Speaking on a talk show on Star Sports, Shastri said, “What I would like to see with Delhi is Rishabh Pant coming and playing his natural game. Forgetting that he is the captain of the side, just let him go out and play his natural game. Let the others around him take the responsibility, because if he fires it will do his captaincy a world of good and at the same time you will see the results changing for Delhi Capitals pretty quickly.”

“I don’t think there is any problem with his batting. I think it’s just the change of mindset that is needed, where he goes out and gives himself a little bit of time early on and then goes for it. There are no half measures. The Rishabh Pant you know is Rishabh Pant where there are no half measures. He plays the high-risk shots, he takes his chances and you want him to play in that fashion because that’s what brings out the best in him.”