The Delhi Capitals (DC) lost a thrilling encounter against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2021 on Wednesday (13 October) at Sharjah.

As DC lost both the Qualifiers, they were knocked out of the tournament, many drew comparisons between DC skipper Rishabh Pant and CSK’s MS Dhoni. Former India cricketer Ashish Nehra on the other hand termed these comparisons as ‘unfair’ as he believes Pant needs some time to improve.

“Everyone cannot be a MS Dhoni, who came in and won the T20 World Cup directly in 2007. Give Pant some time to improve,” Nehra told Cricbuzz.

Under Pant’s captaincy apart from the losses in Qualifiers, DC had finished the league stage of IPL 2021 by occupying the top spot on the points table with 20 points to their name.

IPL 2021: “Should've been a lot easier”- KKR skipper Eoin Morgan after a thrilling win over DC

Even though the swashbuckling left-hand batter did make a couple of tactical blunders in the last two games, former India quick Nehra feels that he is very young and will improve in the next season.

“Pant should be retained as DC captain for next season. The more he plays, the better he will get. There is no doubt about that. The sooner he learns, the better for him and the franchise. Keeping aside a few tactical mistakes that he made, he was good as captain,” the left-arm quick said.

After being invited to bat first, the Delhi-based franchise could only muster 135/5 in their quota of 20 overs. Despite KKR’s great start to the chase, DC bowlers brought their side back into the match by picking some wickets in quick succession.

But, Rahul Tripathi’s six off Ashwin on the penultimate ball took the two-time champions over the line and confirmed KKR’s third appearance in an IPL final.

KKR will be locking horns with the three-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the final of IPL 2021 on Friday (15 October) in Dubai.

(With Cricbuzz Inputs)