IPL 2024: Kevin Pietersen hails DC captain Rishabh Pant after clinical victory against Gujarat Titans

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Former England player and pundit Kevin Pietersen has heaped praises on Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant after a stellar victory over Gujarat Titans in IPL 2024 on Wednesday (April 17).

Delhi Capitals registered their third victory of the season after demolishing Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium. It was a clinical performance from DC, who bowled out the Titans for just 89 runs and then chased it down within 10 overs.

Rishabh Pant marshalled his troops brilliantly and showcased his class both as a captain and as a wicketkeeper. He inflicted 4 dismissals behind the stumps, two catches and two stumpings. Pant then went on to score 16 runs off 11 balls to win the match for the Capitals. The DC captain was also adjudged Player of the Match for that.

Former England batter Kevin Pietersen pointed out Pant's mobility behind the stumps will be a massive positive for the Indian team. He reckons the Indian player will be ready for the T20 World Cup, which starts immediately after the conclusion of the IPL.

"His mobility tonight was something that will give him great encouragement, which will also encourage Team India. Of course, he needs game time, as everyone does when coming back from an injury. He's returning from a horrific injury, so game time is crucial for him. To prepare for the T20 World Cup, he should play these 14-15 IPL games because it's significant leading into a T20 World Cup. If he plays that much cricket, he will be ready," Pietersen said on Star Sports.

The former England player also praised Rishabh Pant's captaincy in the powerplay and credited the DC captain for going all-out to decimate Gujarat Titans in the powerplay.

"Yeah, the first three bowlers actually bowled beautifully this evening and the way that Rishabh Pant marshalled his troops was exceptional because you want to see one bowler bowling one over and another bowling another and they keep changing with five or six bowlers bowling in the first powerplay whereas Rishabh Pant said no, 'I am going to back my strike bowlers and I'm going to back the guys that are doing well for me, they are very good with the new ball and I want them to really bury GT.' And that's exactly what Delhi did, they buried GT in the powerplay," he concluded.