Rishabh Pant Rescued Delhi Daredevils From Collapse In Debut IPL Match

Rishabh Pant in his debut IPL game for Delhi Daredevils in 2016 (X.com)Rishabh Pant in his debut IPL game for Delhi Daredevils in 2016 (X.com)

At just 18 years old, a promising wicket-keeping batter Rishabh Pant made his debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Delhi Daredevils and his small yet significant contribution saved Delhi from a humiliating collapse against Gujarat Lions.

Rishabh Pant made his highly anticipated debut in the IPL on April 27, 2016, for the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in a match against the Gujarat Lions at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi. 

Having made headlines with his explosive batting in the U-19 World Cup, his debut in the IPL was eagerly awaited by fans.

Rishabh Pant left an impact in his debut IPL match !

That being said, Rishabh Pant walked into the game with a lot of pressure on his shoulders. Batting at number 5, Pant came in after the top order consisting of Quinton de Kock, Sanju Samson, and Karun Nair collapsed inside the powerplay.

However, Pant stood like a rock to stitch a crucial 41-run partnership with JP Duminy. While he was dismissed off just 20 runs off 17 balls, with three fours by Pravin Tambe, his impact was crucial as Delhi avoided a humiliating collapse.

Delhi Daredevils eventually fell short of 1 run in a nail-biting finish. While Pant's debut did not result in a win for his team, it marked the beginning of his journey in the IPL, where he would go on to become one of the most dynamic and exciting young cricketers in the league.

Rishabh Pant To Be Named India's Vice Captain In Tests?

The BCCI released a 16-member squad for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. While Rohit Sharma was named captain, his deputy, Jasprit Bumrah, was no longer mentioned as the vice-captain.

With Bumrah reportedly sacked as India's red-ball vice-captain, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul are some potential replacements the board could consider. 

Pant is young with enough leadership experience. He can even be shaped as Rohit's successor if the BCCI deems the move appropriate.