'There will be a lot of changes in the way we play cricket' - Rishabh Pant ahead of South Africa series

Indian team suffered a major setback on Wednesday when stand-in skipper KL Rahul got ruled out of the T20I series against South Africa just one day before the series opener in Delhi. BCCI announced that Rishabh Pant is going to lead the Indian team in the absence of injured Rahul. Pant has revealed that the team will change its style of play in the upcoming games in preparation for the T20 World Cup.

The Indian team has rested some of the senior players for the series against South Africa. Pant, who was appointed the deputy to Rahul, has stated that there are certain goals that the Indian team wishes to achieve and are working accordingly, with their major focus on the T20 World Cup later this year in Australia.

“As a team, we have thought about certain goals, which we want to achieve. We are continuously working on them. In the end, we are thinking of the World Cup in the back of our heads, so we are preparing for that. In the coming days, you will see that there will be a lot of changes in the way we play cricket,” Pant told the press ahead of the series opener in Delhi.

‘I will try to make the most of it’ – Rishabh Pant spoke on the captaincy opportunity

The wicketkeeper-batter admitted that the captaincy role hasn’t come under the ideal circumstances, but he is looking forward to leading the Indian side in front of his hometown. Pant came under scrutiny for his questionable decisions in the recently concluded IPL 2022, but said that he is willing to learn from his previous mistakes.

“It is a very good feeling, (it) did not come under very good circumstances but at the same time, I am feeling happy. It is a great feeling, especially getting an opportunity to lead in your hometown. I will try to make the most of it. I think as a captain, it will help me a lot because when you are doing the same thing again and again, you improve. I am someone who keeps learning from his mistakes and I think it will help me in the coming days,” The southpaw added.

The series opener will be played in front of a sold-out crowd in New Delhi on 9th June.