NEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant said Wednesday he will make the most of his unexpected chance to captain India after KL Rahul was ruled out to injury on the eve of the Twenty20 series against South Africa.

Rahul was appointed captain of the team after all-format skipper Rohit Sharma and superstar Virat Kohli took a break when the Indian Premier League wrapped up, but he has now been sidelined by a groin injury.

Pant, a wicketkeeper-batsman who leads Delhi Capitals in the IPL, will take charge in his place for the five-match series, which begins Thursday in New Delhi.

“It’s a great feeling, especially getting an opportunity like this in your hometown, (no) bigger opportunity than that and I will make the most of it,” the 24-year-old told reporters.

Pant added that his performance would be bolstered by the experience of leading the IPL side Delhi.

“It will help me a lot because when you keep on doing the same thing over a period of time you tend to improve,” he said.

“I am someone who keeps learning from my mistakes, and I think that’s what is going to help me in the coming days.” Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav will also be absent after getting hit on his right hand while batting in the nets on Tuesday.

Both he and Rahul will be sent to the National Cricket Academy for medical examination, the Board of Control for Cricket in India said.

Hardik Pandya, who last month led Gujarat Titans to IPL triumph in their opening season, has been named vice-captain.

Pant said India have set their sights on the T20 World Cup later this year and will soon unleash a new style of cricket.

“I think as a team we have thought about certain goals which we want to achieve,” he said. “In the coming days you will see a lot of changes in the way we play.” Pant is ready to grind it out in the Delhi heat with searing summer temperatures soaring to 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit) this week.

“I think this is the first time we are playing in these kind of conditions after a long time but I think the heat will play its part,” he said.

“We might get dehydrated, we might get tired earlier but I think it’s part and parcel of the game. We just have to keep improving, not think about the heat.” Pant was identified as a future leader alongside Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah after Kohli stood down from the captaincy.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2022