IPL 2024: Ricky Ponting reveals who will captain DC in absence of banned Rishabh Pant

Regular DC captain Rishabh Pant has been handed one-match ban in the ongoing IPL 2024.

Delhi Capitals (DC) will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a must-win Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on May 12. However, the Capitals have suffered a big setback ahead of their crucial match as they will be without their regular captain Rishabh Pant.

The wicket-keeper batter Pant has been handed one match by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Pant was suspended for one match because he breached the IPL Code of Conduct after his team maintained a slow over-rate during match No. 56 against the Rajasthan Royals on May 6. Apart from the one-man match, the Delhi skipper was also fined INR 30 lakhs for the offence.

“As it was his team’s third offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offences, Rishabh Pant was fined Rs 30 lakh and suspended for one match,” the IPL said in a statement on Saturday afternoon.

Axar Patel will be our captain against Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Ricky Ponting

During the pre-match conference on May 11, DC head coach Ricky Ponting revealed that all-rounder Axar Patel will be the stand-in skipper in the absence of Rishabh Pant. Ponting further added that Axar is a very experienced guy in the IPL as well as in international cricket.

Axar Patel will be our captain tomorrow. He’s obviously been the vice-captain of the franchise for the last couple of seasons. Very experienced IPL player, a very experienced international player. Very sensible guy, understands the game very well. He’s really excited about it, to be honest,” Ponting said.

The Delhi head coach further revealed that the franchise was already starting to talk about more options in case Rishabh got banned. Ponting said that Axar will go through all the plans and will make sure he’s ready to lead the Capitals’ side in their must-win game against Bengaluru.

“We started talking about it a couple of days ago about the possibility that Rishabh (Pant) might be banned. He’s got his head around it. We have done our bowlers meetings today, he’ll catch up with all the guys tonight, go through all the plans and make sure he’s ready to lead the team tomorrow,” he added.

In the ongoing tournament, Delhi have played 12 matches till now. They have 12 points and are placed fifth in the IPL 2024 standings.

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