Delhi capitals Vs king XI Punjab

It's pant Vs Rahul in battle of India keepers

DC Vs KXIP 

New Delhi: Rishabh Pant is about to turn 23 but it seems like he has been forever carrying the tag of MS Dhoni's successor behind the stumps.  Dhoni is now official ly done with his international cricket but Pant has again found himself second in line for India's white - ball wicketkeeping spot.  When he takes strike for Delhi Capitals against Kings XI Punjab in Dubai on Sunday, there will be KL Rahul in his eyeline remin ding pant of his biggest competion right now.  

Rahul had donned the big gloves well in limited overs cricket in the early part of this year.  Saturday will see the be ginning of the race for India's wicketkeeper - batsman's spot.  “Pant, during the last week, has really turned the cornerwell and I would expect him to per form as well as he did last year, DC coach Ricky Ponting said du ring a virtual media interaction on Saturday.  Ponting, it may be recalled, was very vocal about " Pant's inclusion in India's World Cup squad last year.  

"The Indian players feel more pressure than the overseas players. In DC, we as a coaching group don't put ad ded pressure on the players. We like to take as much as possible pressure off them. We never ex pect any such thing  from them which they don't expect from themselves, "he added.  The sticking point for Pant is that his batting position at Capi tals could see him miss out on so me critical time to score big.  For mer India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta feels pant must make sure that he does not see Rahul as a competition.  “Rahul has the abili ty to do well in all three roles (cap tain, wicketkeeper and batsman) for KXIP.  

Pant has to focus on his role and close out matches, "Das gupta told TOI." He has to make an impact.  Ra hul is not his competition.  If Pant does well down the order, he could reclaim his position in the Indian team.  India have options up the order but they don't have an ans wer for a finisher after Dhoni, "Dasgupta said.