DC vs CSK: Rishabh Pant becomes 5th youngest captain in the history of IPL

Wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant on Saturday became the fifth-youngest captain to lead a team in the Indian Premier League history when he took the field for the toss as Delhi Capitals skipper against MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings in the second match of IPL 2021 in Mumbai.

Notably, Delhi Capitals had named Pant as their captain for IPL 2021 after their regular skipper Shreyas Iyer was ruled out with a shoulder injury. Pant has captained Delhi’s state team in the past. He was also Delhi's skipper in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament in 2017.

For the first time in his career, Rishabh Pant will be leading an IPL franchise and his first assignment will be against MS Dhoni, the man whom he



looks up to as a mentor and guru.

"The wicket is slightly softer underneath. I'm going to be a mix of experience and youth. Good to have the first outing with Mahi bhai. Stoinis, Hetmyer, Woakes, and Tom Curran are our overseas players. We are not playing in Delhi, so we are fine," Rishabh Pant said after winning the toss.

At the age of 23, Pant has become the fifth-youngest captain in IPL after Steve Smith, Virat Kohli (RCB), Suresh Raina (CSK) and Shreyas Iyer (DC). Pant has big shoes to fill in as Iyer had taken DC to their maiden IPL final last year. DC qualified for the playoffs in the last two seasons under Iyer which is why there will be a bit of pressure on Pant to do the same this year.