Delhi: Former Australian team captain Ricky Ponting has expressed hope that Indian star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant will perform well for India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 to be played in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA) from next month. It is known that Pant has not worn the national team jersey since India's tour of Bangladesh in December 2022. However, the left-handed batsman has played competitive cricket for Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) in the last few months.

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Although Delhi failed to make it to the playoffs under his captaincy, Pant displayed a brilliant game with the bat. He scored 446 runs in 13 matches at an average of 40.54 and a strike-rate of 155.40, including 3 half-centuries. During this, his highest score was an unbeaten 88*. Ponting said that working with Pant during the IPL gave him positive energy.

49-year-old Ricky Ponting said in the ICC review, “When I was there, I was asked what I thought of him. He was selected in the Indian team and I basically said that he would be one of the first players to be selected and of course he got a place in the team.”

The former right-handed veteran batsman further said, “So, it's great to see him playing again. I have enjoyed every moment of working with him. Obviously, he has been the captain of Delhi Capitals and I have been the coach there, but it has been a great comeback and hopefully he will make a huge impact on this (T20) World Cup.”

Pant's great record

Earlier in the tournament, Pant also became the third youngest player to reach the 3000-run mark in the IPL after Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli. Now Pant is set to offer his services to the team in blue jersey in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. India will begin their campaign on June 5 with a match against Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

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