IPL 2017: Rishabh Pant scores half-century for Delhi Daredevils two days after cremating father

Rishabh Pant's impressive 57 for the Delhi Daredevils on Saturday (8 April) was not enough as Royal Challengers Bangalore successfully defended their total of 157 to defeat the Daredevils .

Pant displayed fine form, whacking his first ball of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season for a six.

The 19-year-old eventually went on to score 57 off just 36 balls, but Delhi could not get a single batting partnership going and his effort was in vain.

Pawan Negi bowled Pant in the first ball of the final over with 19 to make. Shane Watson-led RCB eventually won by 15 runs, giving the franchise their first victory of the campaign.

The performance of Pant was all the more impressive given that he had cremated his father a few days earlier.

Rajendra Pant, his father, passed away in his sleep in Roorkee, Uttarakhand on Wednesday (5 April) due to cardiac arrest. Pant travelled to Roorkee to be with his family and perform his father's last rites.

"It's a time that he needs to be with the family," an anonymous Delhi Daredevils official was quoted as saying. "He can take his time and join the team when he feels like."

Pant still made it for practice sessions on Friday (7 April) as he returned to Bangalore and took part in Delhi's opening IPL game, reminiscent of how Sachin Tendulkar and current India captain Virat Kohli both played right after their fathers passed away.

Delhi play Rising Pune Supergiants next on Tuesday (11 April).