Team India is on a 42-day international break which started last week after the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, Rishabh Pant chose to participate in the inaugural Delhi Premier League season. However, the captain of Purani Dilli 6 faced difficulties, managing just 35 runs off 32 balls in the opening match on Saturday at Arun Jaitley Stadium against the South Delhi Superstarz.
Rishabh Pant’s slow strike rate and struggle against spin in the match opener
Pant was roped in by Purani Dilli 6, along with senior bowler Ishant Sharma. DPL features some of renowned names from IPL, Indian Team and local players from Delhi.
Purani Dilli 6 batted first, and Pant entered the fray at No. 3 after Manjeet was out in the third over. Pant formed a key 80-run partnership with opener Arpit Rana, but Rana took the lead in scoring, amassing 59 runs from 41 balls with eight fours and two sixes, while Pant struggled to make an impact.
Pant to focus on Duleep Trophy and Test series against Bangladesh
Rishabh Pant agreed to play the opening fixtures of DPL after that he’ll be focusing on Duleep Trophy and the India’s next Test series against Bangladesh.
“Rishabh has agreed to play the first match of the DPLT20 as he wanted to be a part of this initiative that is likely to provide a great platform for youngsters in Delhi. He acknowledges the role played by Delhi cricket in his career. However, it’s important for him to take care of himself given there is a long Test season coming. Being in prime shape to represent the country is his utmost priority. He will get back to red-ball training after the first match of DPL and start preparing for the long-format season starting with Duleep Trophy in the first week of Sept. DDCA and the Purani Delhi 6 management appreciates Rishabh’s gesture and also respects his commitments,” a source close to Pant told TOI
In the T20 World Cup, Pant scored 171 runs in eight innings with a strike rate of 127.61 and an average of 24.42. The ‘Men in Blue’ have a long Test schedule lined up and Pant will be looking to make an impact there.
