IPL 2018 | Rishabh Pant "not thinking" about national return
Rishabh Pant, who was the main architect of DDâs win against Rajasthan, insisted that he just wants to do well in the IPL and is not thinking about a spot in the national team. Pant scored a blistering 69 off 29 balls and helped DD win their third match in the nine matches they have played so far.
Delhi Daredevils have looked dangerous from the onset of the tournament but just havenât been lucky enough to win the matches. However, they did manage to have some luck in the last game and won the game by 4 runs (D\L method) against Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday. This was their third win in the nine matches they have played so far and their second win in three matches, since Gambhirâs resignation from the captaincy. Rishabh Pant, who now has the orange cap courtesy to his brutal 29-ball 69 against Rajasthan, said that he hasnât been thinking about the national call-up and has been concentrating to do well in the IPL for his franchise.Â
âI am not thinking anything of that sort right now,â Rishabh Pant said on his national recall after the win against RR. âI am just playing the IPL and trying to do well in every game for my team and, all.â
Shreyas Iyer and Prithvi Shaw also joined the party along with Pant and scored 50 and 47 respectively, to help Delhi reach a healthy total of 196 for 6 in 17.1 overs in a rain-affected game. This was Iyerâs second fifty in three games, after being made the leader of the team. Pant pointed out that Delhi Daredevils were playing good cricket, but small mistakes were costing them the game. He stated that they have made a deliberate effort not to commit those mistakes again. Â
âActually, we were batting brilliantly in all the games. But small mistakes from our side cost us the match every time,â Pant said. âNow we are making sure that they wonât happen again and we win all the matches.
âEveryone has a different role in our team. They (Shaw and Iyer) are playing up the order and have to keep maintaining a good run-rate. They are doing pretty well and after that, I am coming in and doing a good job for my team. Our team combination is such that everyone is helping us win matches. Everyone is taking responsibility to perform.â
Delhiâs overseas batsmen, particularly Glenn Maxwell, have not been consistent at all and apart from a few cameos here and there, they are strictly below average. Pant suggested that cricket is team game and everyone has been doing well and supporting each in the team.
âIt is a team game. Some will perform well, some wonât. That doesnât mean that nobody is contributing. Everyone is doing well in our team. Supporting each other is the best thing about our team,â said Pant.
Prithvi Shaw, who wasnât part of the Delhi team in the first five matches, has been quite phenomenal at the top, providing Delhi the starts they need. Pant appreciated the former Under-19 India captain and termed him âbrilliantâ.Â
âHe was a brilliant hit from day one. He wasnât getting his chances but he was practicing pretty well. When he got the chance, he is
When Rajasthan required 51 off 18 balls, Dâarcy Short hit Glenn Maxwell for three sixes, which might have made the Delhi camp nervous. However, defending his teamâs bowling, Pant stated that their bowling has been not been a concern and itâs just that the batsman who have been playing some quality knocks. Â
âItâs (bowling) not a concern. The wickets are pretty good for batting and we are doing a pretty good job,â reasoned Pant. âIn the last match, Mahi