IPL 2019 | Rishabh Pant and Prithvi Shaw have been batting brilliantly, says De Villiers

A new-look Delhi Capitals side were definitely the surprise package in this season’s Indian Premier League right from their very first win against Mumbai Indians of the campaign. Under Ricky Ponting, the young and determined Delhi side have managed to make the playoffs and defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in the first eliminator to sculpt a spot in the second Qualifier. 

Ahead of the crucial match against MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings on Friday, former South Africa skipper and Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman AB De Villiers heaped praise on the Delhi outfit who have reaped the rewards of backing youngsters like Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant.

"It is a classic clash between youth and experience, between the fiery youngsters of DC and the ice-cold veterans of CSK. DC have been gaining momentum. No fewer than 14 of their 24-man squad are under 26 years old but expertly guided by Ricky Ponting and Sourav Ganguly. Their investment in youth has been rewarded. Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant have led their batting brilliantly, and it was Pant whose big hitting took DC over the line in their eliminator against SRH," De Villiers wrote in his column for TOI.

The former Proteas cricketer also had kind words for the DC bowling unit that has been served well by young bowlers like Windies’ Keemo Paul and South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada.

"The DC bowling is well balanced and has settled into an impressive rhythm. In tournaments such as the IPL, it is hard to exaggerate the importance of finding rhythm and consistency when it matters and, in so many ways, these young tyros look and feel like a kettle coming to the boil at just the right time," the former South Africa captain wrote.