Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach Ricky Ponting has backed Rishabh Pant to be part of India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad. Ponting believes his franchise captain is a must in the India squad despite acknowlediging the depth in India's cricket talent, particularly in the wicketkeeping-batsman role. There are many contenders for the keeper-batter slot for the T20 WC, such as KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma whereas veteran Dinesh Karthik also has an outside chance given his splendid start in the ongoing IPL season. However, the former Australian captain has backed Pant, who already has 194 runs in 123 balls faced in IPL 2024 (striking at&nbsp;157.72).

In an interview with PTI, Ponting said, "Do I believe whether Rishabh should be there in the World Cup squad? Absolutely I do. He deserves to be in that WT20 squad by the end of the IPL, I think we have seen Rishabh play the way we have seen him play in the last six seasons of IPL and now back playing for India. One thing we certainly know that there is a lot of depth around Indian cricket, with keeper batters and I feel some guys are in really good form at the moment. Kishan is playing well, Samson is playing well and KL Rahul is playing well, there's a lot of options there but if I was picking a team, I would have Rishabh Pant in it every day of the week."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2024-everyones-terrified-of-us-srh-captain-pat-cummins-speech-goes-viral-after-rcb-tie-watch-711918">IPL 2024: 'Everyone’s terrified of us' | SRH captain Pat Cummins' speech goes viral after RCB tie - Watch</a>

Pant returned to competitive cricket, after 14 months, during this year's IPL following a horrific car crash in late 2022. Since his return, all eyes are on his fitness and form. While the swashbuckling left-hander started off slowly, he has gained momentum with each passing day and striking the ball really well. Thus, he has a strong chance to make a national comeback in the T20 WC, which commences early June.&nbsp;

Rohit Sharma-led India's provisional squad for the T20 WC is likely to be announced early next month. Meanwhile, Pant is now focused on taking DC to the top-four in the IPL 2024 points table as the one-time finalists are struggling at the moment. They are at the ninth spot and will now host SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Saturday (April 20), at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.&nbsp;

Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach Ricky Ponting has backed Rishabh Pant to be part of India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad. Ponting believes his franchise captain is a must in the India squad despite acknowlediging the depth in India's cricket talent, particularly in the wicketkeeping-batsman role.

Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach Ricky Ponting has backed Rishabh Pant to be part of India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad. Ponting believes his franchise captain is a must in the India squad despite acknowlediging the depth in India's cricket talent, particularly in the wicketkeeping-batsman role. There are many contenders for the keeper-batter slot for the T20 WC, such as KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma whereas veteran Dinesh Karthik also has an outside chance given his splendid start in the ongoing IPL season. However, the former Australian captain has backed Pant, who already has 194 runs in 123 balls faced in IPL 2024 (striking at 157.72). In an interview with PTI, Ponting said, "Do I believe whether Rishabh should be there in the World Cup squad? Absolutely I do. He deserves to be in that WT20 squad by the end of the IPL, I think we have seen Rishabh play the way we have seen him play in the last six seasons of IPL and now back playing for India. One thing we certainly know that there is a lot of depth around Indian cricket, with keeper batters and I feel some guys are in really good form at the moment. Kishan is playing well, Samson is playing well and KL Rahul is playing well, there's a lot of options there but if I was picking a team, I would have Rishabh Pant in it every day of the week." Also read: IPL 2024: 'Everyone’s terrified of us' | SRH captain Pat Cummins' speech goes viral after RCB tie - Watch Pant returned to competitive cricket, after 14 months, during this year's IPL following a horrific car crash in late 2022. Since his return, all eyes are on his fitness and form. While the swashbuckling left-hander started off slowly, he has gained momentum with each passing day and striking the ball really well. Thus, he has a strong chance to make a national comeback in the T20 WC, which commences early June. Rohit Sharma-led India's provisional squad for the T20 WC is likely to be announced early next month. Meanwhile, Pant is now focused on taking DC to the top-four in the IPL 2024 points table as the one-time finalists are struggling at the moment. They are at the ninth spot and will now host SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Saturday (April 20), at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

IPL 2024: DC coach Ricky Ponting feels Rishabh Pant ‘deserves’ to be in India’s T20 World Cup squad

Kuldeep Yadav had a good outing in 2022. It was the year of revival for the wrist spinner following his successful run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 edition. After being released from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in late 2021, he was bought by the Delhi Capitals (DC) and played all games for the franchise in last year's edition, returning with 21 wickets (fifth-most overall). While he is still not a regular across formats for Team India, his run for DC surely grabbed eyeballs as the 28-year-old has seen his stocks go down following IPL 2019.

During IPL 2019-2021, Kuldeep was part of KKR (his first-ever franchise) but only played a handful of games. He featured in only 14 games in 2019 and 2020 before entirely missing the 2021 season. While he was not in the best of form as well, many criticised KKR for their treatment towards the star spinner. Back then, Karthik was the KKR captain when Kuldeep became out of favour. Recently, the veteran keeper-batter praised Kuldeep -- following his recent five-fer in the India-Bangladesh Tests -- but the spinner's coach has slammed DK and the Kolkata franchise for dropping him.

Speaking to&nbsp;Sportskeeda, Kuldeep's coach Kapil Pandey said, "When he was with Kolkata and Karthik was the captain, he used to give him just 1-2 overs each game. Now he says that Kuldeep is his favourite Indian bowler. "Favorite tha to usko khilaaya kyu nahi? Usko khilaate?&nbsp;(If he was your favourite, then why didn't you play him?) But that’s okay, that’s past now and I believe the future will be great for Kuldeep."

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/it-was-my-right-ex-pcb-chief-ramiz-raja-opens-up-on-misbah-waqar-sacking-before-2021-t20-wc-548747">'It was my right...': Ex-PCB chief Ramiz Raja opens up on Misbah, Waqar sacking before 2021 T20 WC</a>

Further, Kapil lauded DC's team management for backing Kuldeep's talent in IPL 2022. "He used to be badly neglected in Kolkata, but it has been the complete opposite in Delhi. Rishabh Pant, Ricky Ponting, Shane Watson and others have backed and supported him and that really helped him play freely "Ponting told him that he will play all games, and when you hear this as a bowler, your morale gets boosted. Rishabh also backed him in all situations and so he deserves a lot of praise for Kuldeep’s comeback," he added.

<section>Being an ODI World Cup year, with the showpiece event to be held in India later in 2023, Kuldeep will be eager to remin consistent in the forthcoming IPL season and also come out with glittering performances for Team India to cement his place across formats. Currently, he is part of India's ODI squad for the home series versus Sri Lanka, which will get underway on January 10.</section>

Kuldeep Yadav had a good outing in 2022. It was the year of revival for the wrist spinner following his successful run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 edition.

Kuldeep Yadav had a good outing in 2022. It was the year of revival for the wrist spinner following his successful run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 edition. After being released from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in late 2021, he was bought by the Delhi Capitals (DC) and played all games for the franchise in last year's edition, returning with 21 wickets (fifth-most overall). While he is still not a regular across formats for Team India, his run for DC surely grabbed eyeballs as the 28-year-old has seen his stocks go down following IPL 2019. During IPL 2019-2021, Kuldeep was part of KKR (his first-ever franchise) but only played a handful of games. He featured in only 14 games in 2019 and 2020 before entirely missing the 2021 season. While he was not in the best of form as well, many criticised KKR for their treatment towards the star spinner. Back then, Karthik was the KKR captain when Kuldeep became out of favour. Recently, the veteran keeper-batter praised Kuldeep -- following his recent five-fer in the India-Bangladesh Tests -- but the spinner's coach has slammed DK and the Kolkata franchise for dropping him. Speaking to Sportskeeda, Kuldeep's coach Kapil Pandey said, "When he was with Kolkata and Karthik was the captain, he used to give him just 1-2 overs each game. Now he says that Kuldeep is his favourite Indian bowler. "Favorite tha to usko khilaaya kyu nahi? Usko khilaate? (If he was your favourite, then why didn't you play him?) But that’s okay, that’s past now and I believe the future will be great for Kuldeep." Also read: 'It was my right...': Ex-PCB chief Ramiz Raja opens up on Misbah, Waqar sacking before 2021 T20 WC Further, Kapil lauded DC's team management for backing Kuldeep's talent in IPL 2022. "He used to be badly neglected in Kolkata, but it has been the complete opposite in Delhi. Rishabh Pant, Ricky Ponting, Shane Watson and others have backed and supported him and that really helped him play freely "Ponting told him that he will play all games, and when you hear this as a bowler, your morale gets boosted. Rishabh also backed him in all situations and so he deserves a lot of praise for Kuldeep’s comeback," he added. Being an ODI World Cup year, with the showpiece event to be held in India later in 2023, Kuldeep will be eager to remin consistent in the forthcoming IPL season and also come out with glittering performances for Team India to cement his place across formats. Currently, he is part of India's ODI squad for the home series versus Sri Lanka, which will get underway on January 10.

'If he was your favourite bowler....?': Kuldeep Yadav's coach slams Dinesh Karthik, KKR for dropping him

Delhi Capitals head coach and former Australian captain Ricky Ponting talked about the IPL 2021 match against Rajasthan Royals, Ravichandran Ashwin mistake, team combination, Avesh Khan's form.

It was a mistake: Ricky Ponting on R Ashwin not completing his 4 overs vs RR

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IPL 2024: DC coach Ricky Ponting feels Rishabh Pant ‘deserves’ to be in India’s T20 World Cup squad

'If he was your favourite bowler....?': Kuldeep Yadav's coach slams Dinesh Karthik, KKR for dropping him

It was a mistake: Ricky Ponting on R Ashwin not completing his 4 overs vs RR