Former India wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel has chosen Delhi Capitals’ (DC) captain Rishabh Pant as the X-factor for the franchise going into the IPL 2021 season. He also mentioned that Pant can be a better player than MS Dhoni and has the confidence to achieve it as well.

Rishabh Pant was named the DC captain after Shreyas Iyer was ruled out of the entire IPL 2021 tournament due to his shoulder injury requiring surgery and he’ll be out of commission for 3-4 months atleast.

"I think Rishabh Pant carries a lot of confidence with him and that's what you want when you are playing a T20 game. You don't want any doubts in your mind and especially a player like Rishabh Pant. He was burdened with the comparison of MS Dhoni and he also tried to do that, but he himself is a brilliant player.

Rajat Bhatia says MS Dhoni was the reason for RPS reaching the IPL 2017 final, not Steve Smith

He doesn't have to worry about being like MS Dhoni. He can be better than MS Dhoni or he can win matches on his own every given time. So, I think Rishabh Pant will probably hold the key for Delhi Capitals,” Parthiv said on Star Sports' show Game Plan.

Rishabh Pant’s Delhi Capitals will clash with MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings on April 10 in Mumbai in the second match of the IPL 2021.

(ANI inputs)