Wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant, who has been handed over the captaincy of the Indian team just a day before the five-match T20I series against South Africa, said he will be taking up the responsibility with his chin up. He was made the captain after KL Rahul was ruled out of the series due to a right groin injury. Regular skipper Rohit Sharma is being rested for the series. 

“It’s a very good feeling although it didn’t come in good circumstances. The news just came in for me as well an hour back so I’m also processing it,” the newly-appointed skipper said on the eve of the first match.

“I haven’t even digested the information yet. It is a great feeling getting this opportunity, especially in my hometown,” the Delhi cricketer said.

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Pant has led the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League for the two seasons and has not shied away from experimenting with his batting position.

Asked if he will continue shuffling his batting order, he said, “My batting order will depend on the conditions. In these conditions, we can’t have a floating batting line because we play spinners day in and day out.

“But if we need a floating batting line up we will have it,“ he added.

“As a captain, it will help me a lot. When you keep doing the same things over a period of time you tend to improve and keep learning from it and I think that will help me.”

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He said that he feel the DC captaincy stint will help him in the series against South Africa.

“Captaining DC will help me a lot. I’m someone who learns from mistakes.”