Rishabh Pant IPL 2023 jersey hung in Delhi Capitals' dugout against Lucknow Super Giants

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Delhi Capitals began their campaign in the IPL 2023 against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Sports Complex in Lucknow on Saturday (April 1) under the leadership of captain David Warner.

In the absence of India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant - who is out of this edition due to injury - has been replaced by the senior Australia cricketer as the leader of the side.

But in a heartwarming gesture from the Delhi Capitals team management, Pant's jersey was hung at the team's dugout as a mark of support for the cricketer. Pant's iconic number 17 jersey with Rishabh written on it was present to show the team stands united with him.

After winning the toss, Warner invited host captain KL Rahul to bat first. In Pant's absence, the Delhi Capitals' team management decided to go with young Mumbai cricketer Sarfaraz Khan as the wicket-keeper for the match.

Before the start of the tournament, Delhi Capitals picked up Abhishek Porel as the wicketkeeper-batter for the side. The 20-year-old glovesman from Bengal grabbed attention during the warm-up games in which he impressed the Delhi Capitals management.

The left-hand batter, the younger brother of Bengal pacer Ishan Porel, has played 19 first-class matches and scored 695 runs at an average of 30.21. In the three List A matches Porel has played, he has scored 54 runs in one innings. Also, he has featured in three T20 games, scoring 22 at an average of 11.

Earlier, before the start of the tournament Ponting - while interacting with media persons in Delhi - claimed that he will try to have Pant by his side in the dugout during home games in the IPL 2023.