NEW DELHI: Former Indian captain
Sunil Gavaskar
anticipates that
Rishabh Pant
may encounter challenges in finding his fluent form at the outset of the IPL. However, he believes that Pant's knees will respond positively as he gradually engages in more batting during match scenarios.
Pant, who endured a harrowing car accident in December 2022, will mark his return to competitive cricket as the captain of Delhi Capitals after a rigorous 14-month-long rehabilitation program.
"It'll be very difficult. But the good thing is he (Pant) has played some cricket. So he has got some practice. To get fluency in batting is a little tough," Gavaskar told 'Star Sports'.
Gavaskar elaborated on his viewpoint by suggesting that Pant's initial struggle to regain his fluent form in the IPL could stem from the extended period away from competitive cricket.
"When you talk of a
knee injury
, the pivoting that takes place. Wicket-keeping is difficult as well, but even in batting, the knee is quite important. So, maybe, in the beginning, we won't see the real Rishabh Pant that we are used to," the maestro said.
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Gavaskar acknowledged that Pant's presence and his lively personality contribute significantly to the entertainment factor of the IPL.
"To find a wicket-keeper like him who comments from behind the stumps, that's full-on entertainment because there are a lot of wicket-keepers who would like to disturb your concentration by saying different things."
".....but Rishabh Pant has the ability to say such a thing that whoever he is targeting, they also laugh, they also enjoy it. But when enjoying it, their concentration goes down a bit, right? The advantage is for his team then."
Gavaskar also expressed his curiosity about how
Shubman Gill
would fare in his inaugural stint as Gujarat Titans captain. As Gill takes on this new leadership role, Gavaskar, like many others, is intrigued to see how he navigates the challenges and responsibilities of leading a team in the IPL.
"That is going to be the most important thing: the way he can handle the captaincy. Will it affect and impact his batting? And the second thing is there is a commonality in our initials; both of us are SG's, and if we go even further, my initials are SMG, and he has Shubh-Man Gill in his name."
(With PTI inputs)
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