Newly appointed Delhi Capitals head coach Sourav Ganguly has backed Rishabh Pant to play an important role in the team's middle order in the upcoming IPL season. Ganguly believes the wicketkeeper-batter is well suited to the position and expects the franchise to help him regain consistency after a difficult period. Pant previously represented Delhi Capitals for several seasons before moving to Lucknow Super Giants in 2025.

Pant played 111 matches for Delhi Capitals and scored 3,284 runs while also leading the team. After an underwhelming stint with Lucknow Super Giants, he returned to Delhi Capitals in a trade involving Kuldeep Yadav. Ganguly said the franchise needed a middle-order batter and believes Pant can use the upcoming season to rediscover his best cricket. He also pointed to Pant's familiarity with the Delhi venue as a potential advantage.

Pant has faced challenges with form and fitness in recent seasons after recovering from serious injuries sustained in a car accident in 2022. Ganguly said he hopes the 28-year-old can make the most of the opportunities ahead and produce his best performances while wearing the Delhi shirt. Pant has also enjoyed strong support from the Delhi crowd during his previous stint with the franchise.

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For Ganguly, the appointment also represents a return to a franchise with which he has a long association. He joined Delhi Capitals as an advisor in 2019 and subsequently held senior roles, including Director of Cricket for the men's and women's teams. Ganguly said he is looking forward to the challenge of coaching the side and acknowledged that the role requires a different approach from his experience as a player and administrator.

The former India captain said his focus will be on understanding individual players and helping them perform at their best. Delhi Capitals finished sixth in the previous IPL season and have reached the final only once, in 2020. Ganguly identified reaching the playoffs as a key objective and believes the squad has enough quality to compete strongly, with players including KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Pant, Mitchell Starc, Lungi Ngidi, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs.

Ganguly also acknowledged the franchise's limited success in recent years and said he wants to help take the team to another level. He highlighted the talent within the dressing room and urged the players to express themselves with confidence. With a strong squad and Pant returning to a familiar environment, Ganguly will hope Delhi Capitals can turn their potential into consistent results and mount a serious challenge for the IPL title.

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