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Delhi Capitals were recently dealt a huge blow after their regular captain, Shreyas Iyer, was ruled out of IPL 2021. Iyer sustained a shoulder injury while fielding in the 3rd ODI of the recently concluded India vs England series. The Delhi-based franchise has now announced Rishabh Pant as their new captain to lead the team in IPL 2021.
Also read: 'Humbled' Rishabh Pant thanks Delhi Capitals management after being appointed captain
As young Rishabh Pant gets ready to lead the Delhi Capitals, he would be staring at a few records that he can potentially break during his stint as captain.
In this article, we explore 5 such records that the new Delhi Capitals' captain, Rishabh Pant can break in IPL 2021.
1. Pant can be the first captain to lead Delhi to an IPL title
Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings are currently the only 3 franchises that are yet to win the coveted IPL title. While Delhi Capitals have gotten very close on multiple occasions, the team has failed to cross the finish line.
Since 2019, the team has witnessed massive growth under Shreyas Iyer's leadership - making it to the playoffs in both the 2019 and 2020 editions of the tournament. Eliminated in the play-offs in 2019, they bettered that performance to reach the finals in 2020 - eventually losing out to Mumbai Indians.
Now that Rishabh Pant has been put in-charge of a supremely capable team, he will have a huge responsibility and opportunity to carry the Delhi-based franchise to their first IPL title.
2. Most runs in a maiden season as IPL captain
During IPL 2018, when Sunrisers Hyderabad's regular captain David Warner was banned from the game due to his involvement in the ball-tampering saga, Kane Williamson took over the leadership from him.
Under their new captain, the Hyderabad-based franchise made it to the final of the tournament. In the process, Kane Williamson won the orange-cap scoring 735 runs across 17 matches during his maiden captaincy term.
In IPL 2021, young Rishabh Pant will eye Kane Williamson's record. Considering his current form and his general ability to strike the ball, the 23-year-old would be a hot contender to overtake Williamson's current record of scoring the most runs in a maiden season as an IPL captain.
3. Most victories in first season as IPL captain
This record has stood since the inaugural edition of the IPL. This year, though, it might be threatened as Delhi Capitals, under Rishabh Pant's captaincy, boast of a strong squad to defeat any team on their day.
Currently, Australian legend Shane Warne holds the accomplishment of winning the most matches in a maiden season as IPL captain. Shane Warne helped the Rajasthan Royals secure 13 victories in IPL 2008 en route to the title.
Participating as a captain for the first time, Pant has the opportunity to break this distinguished record held by Shane Warne.
4. Most runs by a wicketkeeper-captain in an IPL season
In 2020, the IPL witnessed absolute carnage from Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab) captain KL Rahul as he smashed a massive 670 runs in just 14 games across the tournament.
Even though the Punjab-based franchise failed to qualify for the playoffs, KL Rahul was extremely effective with the bat. Opening the innings for his team proved to be an absolute terror for any opposition he played against. Rahul won the orange-cap in 2020 and became the owner of the record for scoring the most runs as a wicketkeeper-captain in an IPL season.
Now that Rishabh Pant has entered the fray in remarkable form, he could certainly have a shot at KL Rahul's record.
5. Youngest captain to win IPL title
The most prestigious record that Rishabh Pant will have his eyes on as we near IPL 2021 is becoming the youngest captain to lift the trophy. Delhi Capitals are certainly a feared team going into the tournament. The Rishabh Pant-led side boasts an aggressive squad with an excellent combination of young and experienced players.
The record is currently held by Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma. Rohit won the IPL trophy as captain for the first time at the age of 26 years and 26 days. If Delhi Capitals do end up with the IPL trophy this year, Rishabh Pant will become the youngest captain to win it.
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