Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
IPL 2021 is off to a thrilling start. While the opening fixture between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians went down till the last ball, the second match between Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings could meet a similar fate. But when the Delhi boys step out on the field this time, they will be without their regular captain Shreyas Iyer - who has been ruled out of the entire season owing to a shoulder injury. Ahead of his side's first game in this year's IPL, Iyer has shared a heartwarming video message for the team.
"Dear Dilli, I speak to you today as a fellow fan of the team we love. We fight the same fight we always did. We know it won't be easy but we know we have got what it takes to raise the cup. We have worked hard, harder than before. We have put in the yards, harder than before," he can be heard saying in the video.
"And the best part, we go beyond then just a team. Make no mistake about it, every ball, every game, you'll have me in your corner. Your biggest supporter with the loudest cheer. Come on Dilli, Roar Macha, Love always, Shreyas," he signed off.
Check out the video here:
Pant set to make his captaincy debut in IPL
In Shreyas' absence, Rishabh Pant is all set to make his captaincy debut later on Saturday. While there were other options like Steve Smith, Ajinkya Rahane, R Ashwin and Shikhar Dhawan in the side, the management has decided to back the youngster for the leadership role. Pant will be up against MS Dhoni's CSK in his first assignment as the skipper - a match being touted as a battle between a disciple and his teacher.