IND VS SA: After getting thrashed by South Africa in the 1st T20I, team India’s morale is low. However, the squad batted well in the first innings but was seen trembling in defending the score.
Although the wicket improved in the second innings, it was still tricky to bat on. Pant’s inexperience as a captain became apparent as Miller and Van der Dussen went nuts. Pant’s international captaincy debut was not spectacular, as the Proteas thrashed the hosts by seven wickets in the opening T20I.
Even though Team India scored their highest-ever T20I total against South Africa – 211 for four – it was not enough, as the visitors chased down their highest-ever T20I total. To sink India, David Miller (64* off 31 balls) and Rassie van der Dussen (75* off 46 balls) combined 131 for the fourth wicket.
While it is much too early to pass judgment on Pant’s leadership. We look at three reasons why all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has been nominated vice-captain for the series, would have been a better pick.
Well, one cannot avoid the fact that leading team India is not everyone’s cup of tea. Pant has shown good captaincy skills while leading Delhi Capitals, but leading the most dominating team in world cricket is on another level.
IND VS SA: Hardik Performed well in IPL 2022
If BCCI chooses a captain based on IPL, then we believe that Hardik was undoubtedly the best captain in IPL 2022. Leading a team like Gujarat Lions that was not that impressive on paper is not everyone’s cup of tea. In his captaincy tenure, Hardik Pandya proved every analyst wrong and single-handedly dominated the tournament.
The Baroda all-rounder was calm and composed throughout the tournament. Except, when he vented his annoyance at Mohammed Shami after a botched fielding attempt. Pandya’s captaincy style had a beneficial impact on the team.
As a result, they dominated the edition and won the IPL trophy for the first time in their history. Of course, captaining the national team against an IPL franchise is a different experience. However, the timing of the decision, if it had been made, could have favored Team India.
IPL success and form in favor of Pandya
Hardik Pandya, as previously stated, excelled with his leadership in IPL 2022 and was also seen guiding the team with the ball and bat. Some on his team mocked him at the auction, but on paper, Hardik Pandya became the champion by taking on a poor team. He was the team’s leading scorer, with 487 runs.
On the other side, Rishabh Pant had a strong squad, and his support staff included some of the best captains in the world, including Ricky Ponting. Despite this, the squad was unable to make the playoffs. In IPL-2022, the Delhi squad led by Pant won seven out of 14 matches. The squad came in fifth place in the points standings and could not make it to the playoff round.
Pant Failed terribly in IPL
Rishabh Pant’s captaincy has been lauded by Ricky Ponting and BCCI head Sourav Ganguly on numerous occasions, but such charismatic leadership has yet to be shown. When the match against Rajasthan Royals became intense, and the field umpire’s judgment went against him, he lost his calm.
He wanted to call the team back. It was Shane Watson, who was seen handling him in the dugout. When Pant does not prove himself in the captaincy, he should be kept in the role of the wicket-keeper batsman.
