Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson will be playing the role of the assistant coach for the Delhi Capitals in the upcoming IPL edition for the first time while Watson highlighted one similar characteristic in Dhoni and Pant.
Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson is attempting the role of the assistant coach of Delhi Capitals for the first time in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Watson has enough knowledge on MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant, having played under Dhoni captaincy for the Chennai Super Kings and also examining Pant from close quarters.
While it is no surprise that Watson was ultimately asked to compare the two wicket-keeper batters. Apart from comparing, the all-rounder also noted one similar characteristic in Dhoni and Pant.
“It is one of the things that the public, in general, want to compare apples with apples. Every individual is different and everyone has their nuance and skillset. I know in a perfect world we can try and compare MS Dhoni with Rishabh Pant, but Rishabh and MS Dhoni are very different people and cricketers. They have high skills and Rishabh as a leader is very cool and calm and this is what I have seen with MS as well. To be honest, to see the skill Rishabh has alone, take away his leadership,”
said Watson during a virtual press conference on Tuesday.
“At such a young age, to do what he has done in his cricketing career is incredible. Rishabh can only get better; he can only continue to learn from his experiences. Ricky Ponting was one of the best captains I have played under and he knew how to get the best of his players,”
he further stated.
Watson also said that Pant will just keep getting better and his focus should be on improving his skills with each passing day.
“So, Rishabh has a good person around him. Rishabh can be the best version of himself and how the public and media want to compare his skills with MS Dhoni, they can at their peril. For Rishabh and Delhi Capitals, it is important for Rishabh to be the best version of himself,”
said Watson.
The IPL edition 2022 will kick off on March 26 and the opening game of the tournament will be played between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium. Delhi Capitals will open their tournament campaign against Mumbai Indians on March 27.
Delhi Capitals Squad: Prithvi Shaw, Anrich Nortje, Rishabh Pant (c), Axar Patel, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Shardul Thakur, Mustafizur Rahman, Kuldeep Yadav, Ashwin Hebbar, Sarfaraz Khan, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, KS Bharat, Mandeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Chetan Sakariya, Lalit Yadav, Ripal Patel, Yash Dhull, Rovman Powell, Pravin Dubey, Lungi Ngidi, Tim Seifert, Vicky Ostwal.