For a number of reasons, including his cost, his position at bat, and most importantly, his captaincy, Rishabh Pant has been the buzz of the IPL. Mitchell Marsh (33), who has played in more over 200 international matches in a variety of formats, has praised Pant’s leadership. “He is a good leader,” adds the Australian all-rounder, who has also played for the Delhi Capitals under Pant.
“Look, I think he’s really growing into a role and he’s still reasonably young, but, yeah, he’s a good leader. And, yeah, he’s just getting better and better. So (I’m) looking forward to hopefully playing under him for a while,” Marsh, himself a former captain of his national team, is currently in Mumbai with the Lucknow Super Giants and answered a few queries ahead of their match against the Mumbai Indians.
Although Marsh has amassed 344 runs at a remarkable average of 43 in eight games, the team management has only used him as an Impact Player and he has only contributed as a hitter thus far, particularly as an opener. But according to Marsh, he might also help with the ball.
“It’s a different experience (going only as a batter), that’s for sure. I feel like a baseballer,” says Marsh. “It has been a lot of fun. And yeah, I’m open to the role whenever they need me in the field or my bowling will come back at some stage. So the dream will be over.” Marsh has 37 wickets in the IPL at an average of 21.49 and an economy rate of 8.52. In fact, he has bowled over 90 overs across 50 matches in his nine IPL seasons. He also boasts 125 international wickets in those 204 games.
Marsh has represented six different franchises across nine IPL seasons – Deccan Chargers, Pune Warriors, Rising Pune Supergiant, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Delhi Capitals – before joining LSG this season. He says he is enjoying the atmosphere at the Sanjiv Goenka-owned franchise.
“I think I’ve really enjoyed it so far. New team, new people, just try to contribute where I can. And we’re obviously well placed at the moment (sixth place with 10 points from nine games). (It’s) such an even and hard competition. So every game is hard to win, but we know we’re a few wins away from really pushing for the semifinals (playoffs).
“Every time you play for a different team, it’s always a new experience, new people. The team is run differently. But, yeah, this is a really close group of people and we got some fantastic humans here, which is for me more important than cricket. So, yeah, it’s been a real pleasure to be a part of it and hopefully we can keep winning.”
Additionally, he believes that playing in the IPL is similar to playing international cricket because both include a variety of challenges due to the various playing circumstances. “I believe that playing international cricket is always difficult and something we go through. You constantly play under different situations, in different places, and on different wickets. Thus, it’s simply about being as prepared as you can be, adapting to the circumstances, and helping to win,” he concludes.
