Ricky Ponting: 'Aman Khan is someone who has really impressed us in training session ahead of IPL 2023'

New Delhi, March 25: Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting on Friday (March 23) spoke highly of uncapped India cricketer Aman Hakim Khan ahead of the IPL 2023 edition saying the all-rounder from Mumbai has impressed him a lot in the first couple of pre-season training sessions.

The 26-year-old Mumbaikar came into Delhi Capitals' squad ahead of the IPL 2023 Auction after the franchise traded India all-rounder Shardul Thakur for him from Kolkata Knight Riders. Thakur was bought by Delhi Capitals during the IPL 2022 Auction for a whopping price of Rs 10.75 crore.

While emerging Mumbai all-rounder Aman Khan, who made his IPL debut in the summer of 2022 for KKR, was acquired for Rs 20 Lakh in the IPL Auction 2022. The 26-year-old right-arm medium pacer, who is also a big-hitting batsman, has been making the right noise in the domestic circuit.

While speaking to the media persons in the national capital during the franchise's jersey launch, the former Australia cricketer shared his opinion about Delhi Capitals' bench strength ahead of the new season, which starts March 31, Ponting threw some light on the David Warner-led side's balance ahead of the marquee competition.

Having watched the youngster's performances in the nets at the Feroz Shah Kotla, the 48-year-old claimed, "Aman Khan is one that has really impressed us and we traded Shardul (Thakur) with KKR to get him in and he has been ultra-impressive and I don't know how much you have seen of him and his last couple of days at training has been pretty special."

The Tasmanian, however, claimed that in the absence of their star batter Rishabh Pant, other members of the team will take that power-hitting role in the middle order to fill that big hole created by the absence of Pant - who is going to be out of action for the most part of 2023.

"So when we are talking about losing some power in middle-order, Aman Khan, Rovman Powell and someone like Axar Patel, whose batting has improved a lot in last 12 months, we will find ways to cover for Rishabh but we will not get same quality player," Ponting further said.

The legendary Australia captain, who is one of the greatest batters the game has seen, was also questioned about the potential wicketkeeping options the franchise has with them as their regular glovesman and captain Rishabh Pant is going to miss the tournament after his injury.

To which the Aussie claimed that the team management hasn't zeroed in on any one player and stressed that a decision will be taken after watching players in the camp. Ponting claimed, "We've got a few options that are still very much open at the moment. We've actually had four wicketkeepers with us in our training camp over the last few days that we're having a really close look at."

"Obviously, with the idea of contracting one of those players. We've got only one spot left on the list, obviously, that's (going to be) a replacement for Rishabh. They've (the local Indian wicketkeeper) trained well over the last few days and we're really excited about the talent that we've seen...

"So we've got a couple of trial games coming up and gradually take a decision," Ponting asserted. The Aussie also admitted that finding a replacement for a world-class wicketkeeper-batter like Pant is impossible and the team management understands that quite well.

The head coach also went on to claim that he hasn't met the Indian wicketkeeper-batter yet after arriving in India but he wants Pant to be part of the DC dugout during home games in IPL 2023.