We can have Pant's number on our caps or shirts: Ricky Ponting
Xtra Time Web Desk: Delhi Capitals' head coach, Ricky Ponting, has hailed Rishabh Pant as the heart and soul of the team, saying that the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman's absence due to injury would be a significant loss for the franchise in the upcoming IPL 2023 season. Speaking at an event in Delhi on March 24, Ponting said that the team management is considering ways to honour Pant's contributions to the team, such as wearing his jersey number on their shirts or caps.
Ponting also acknowledged that finding a replacement for Pant would be a challenging task for the team, and they are yet to decide on the first-choice keeper. With the new 'impact player' rule in place, the team can utilise a variety of options to fill the void left by Pant.
Despite Pant's absence, DC has a strong squad for the upcoming season, with the likes of David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Anrich Nortje in the mix. Warner has been named as the new captain of the team, and his leadership skills will be crucial in the absence of Pant.
Pant, who suffered a car accident in December last year, is on his way to recovery but will not be available for the IPL. The 23-year-old played a vital role in DC's run to the final last year, scoring 343 runs in 14 matches at an average of 31.18.
