IPL 2022 | Ravi Shastri suggests Rishabh Pant for a 'mindset change'

So far, it has been an average campaign for the Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2022, wherein they have only two wins from five league matches and are in the eighth position in the points table.

Although the openers Prithvi Shaw and David Warner have done well to provide a strong start, the struggle of the middle-order has come into notice.

Captain and wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant has done well to contribute 144 runs in 5 innings but has not been at his best with his ball-striking capabilities. With the responsibility of playing a key anchor role in the middle order, Pant has tried to take it deep but has not been able to finish well.

Ex-India head coach, Ravi Shastri, shared his wisdom for the DC captain ahead of their clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on 20th April. After being around the wicket-keeper for the last two years, he thinks Pant should play his natural game and leave behind the captain's thoughts at the back of his mind.

"What I would like to see with Delhi is Rishabh Pant coming and playing his natural game. Forgetting that he is the captain of the side, just let him go out and play his natural game," Shastri said on the 'Gameplan' show on Star Sports.

"Let the others around him take the responsibility because if he fires, it will do his captaincy a world of good, and at the same time, you will see the results changing for Delhi Capitals pretty quickly," he added.

Shastri reckoned that a change of mindset is needed for Pant to revert to his original self, which will help the DC team to do well in the coming games. He added that playing risky shots brings out the best in him and should continue doing the same.

"I don't think there is any problem with his batting. I think it's just a change of mindset that is needed, where he goes out and gives himself a little bit of time early on and then goes for it," Shastri added.

In the last fixture against RCB, Pant scored 34 off 17 balls, comprising three fours and two sixes. However, he was caught at the covers by a stunning catch by Kohli, and the team then struggled to chase down the target of 190 runs.

The team needs a solid striker to partner with the Indian international in the middle order. Unfortunately, the current set of players like Rovman Powell, Lalit Yadav, and the all-rounders Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur have not been consistent with their contributions.