Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting feels new rule will end need for bits and pieces allrounders
NEW DELHI: The entire Delhi Capitals camp was thrown into a tizzy when Rishabh Pant was ruled out of the upcoming IPL.
Apart from being the captain, Pant lent balance to the squad with his wicketkeeping and batting in the middle order. The 'impact player' regulation, therefore, couldn't have been introduced at a better time for Capitals. They haven't been able to find an Indian wicketkeeper to replace Pant but the regulation to substitute players during the course of the game could be their saviour.
"We will work out the best way to use that player (Indian wicketkeeper) and as far as the 'impact player' is concerned, we are actually sitting down with the group and working through the whole range with some players," Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting said on Friday.
"Looking for bits and pieces players," as Ponting puts it, will soon be a thing of the past in IPL.
"Actually, it almost negates the role of allrounders in the game now as you don't need to pick allrounders. Name a batting or bowling-heavy team and just take one out and bring another one in. Unless they are absolutely world class and they are picked as a batter or bowler not as a bits and pieces guy, I don't think you will see many teams actually use the guy that bats at No. 7 and bowls an over or two anymore," Ponting said.
(PTI Photo)
'Prithvi in better place than ever'
In Pant's absence, Ponting has placed his hopes in Prithvi Shaw to lead Capitals' charge. Prithvi has been battling off-field issues and there are question marks over his fitness. "Prithvi has worked and trained better than I have ever seen him do. He is in better physical shape than what I have seen him ever before and I spoke to him the other day about his attitude and how he is training. This is going to be his biggest IPL season. He just has that different look in his eyes, you could see he is hungrier than ever, the level of talent and ability he has you will see," Ponting said.
Ponting didn't shy away from his past when he was labelled a 'bad boy' and this is where he thinks he can help Prithvi. "It is documented that I had some issues early on and it is all about being true to yourself. One thing I always say to players is that I don't like laziness and guys not utilising the talent that they have got. Just seems something has really clicked with Prithvi and is in better space than ever before," he added before revealing his mantra to the youngsters: "If you don't put full attention to the game, it will take away from you very fast. If you do hard yards, game will give back."
Ricky Ponting and Rishabh Pant. (BCCI/IPL Photo)
'Want to have Pant's number on jerseys or caps'
Ponting also voiced his desire to have Pant's shirt number on the caps or shirts of the players. "Rishabh is the heart and soul of this team. I would like to have him in the dugout. But I really believe if we could have his shirt number on the cap or shirts of the players," Ponting said.
"Pant is a huge loss and it doesn't matter who we bring in and we are still going to miss him. I am not going to joke or try and gloss over that fact and he is one of the best players in the world in all three formats."
