Ishant Sharma gave the Purani Dilli youngsters advice to “trust your abilities and work hard.”

At Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, the Purani Dilli 6 and South Delhi Superstars squared off to begin the Delhi Premier League’s inaugural season on August 17. Notwithstanding their first-inning score of 197/3, the Rishabh Pant-led team ultimately lost the match.

Despite being included in the Dilli 6 squad of 20, veteran pacer and former Indian cricket player Ishant Sharma was not included in the Playing XI, as Pant and the team management opted to start with younger players.

It didn’t stop Ishant Sharma from expressing how happy he was to be a part of the recently created tournament, though, especially because it was taking place in his hometown for the first time.

Brimming with 165 T20 experience, the 35-year-old offered a message of encouragement for his younger teammates. “I’m looking forward to the Delhi Premier League.” Delhi is hosting the league for the first time. “This format might be cruel, but if you trust your abilities and work hard, you can do wonders in any format,” Ishant said, quoting a Purani Dilli 6 press release. “My message for the young players is to keep working hard and believing in your abilities.”

Along with discussing how essential it was to play with someone like the gregarious Pant, the lanky pacer also talked about the kind of relationship they had off the pitch.

“I have been playing alongside Rishabh for so long, so playing with him is always a pleasure for me,” said Ishant.

Divij Mehra, a right-arm medium pacer, and Kuldip Yadav, a left-arm seamer, were the first two to be expensive against the Superstars.

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Pant did not trust any of them to reach their quota after they gave up 30 and 34 runs, respectively. Seeing when Ishant is added to the arrangement will be intriguing.