Delhi's strong batting line up of Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, Steven Smith and Pant himself will look to fire on all cylinders right from the opening game.
Rohit Sharma continued his sensational run as the Test opener with his third hundred of the series, allowing India to regain control of the proceedings after a top-order collapse on Day 1 of the third and final Test against South Africa.
Sunrisers Hyderabad's batting failed to live up to expectations yet again as they went down by eight wickets against Delhi Capitals in Dubai on Wednesday.
Fast bowler Duanne Olivier has been recalled for South Africa's home Test series against India, a reward for excellent domestic form from a player who shot to prominence four years ago before taking up a Kolpak contract.
Mayank Agarwal notched up his second hundred in as many Tests and combined with Cheteshwar Pujara to set up a platform for India to post a big first-innings total against South Africa in the second Test.
Mumbai Indians' pace ace Trent Boult was adjudged 'Man of the Final' and 'Power Player of the Season'.
Sibley put on 116 for the third wicket with captain Joe Root (61), before the latter steered Dwaine Pretorius to Faf du Plessis at slip late on.
New Zealand are better organised and clinical in terms of execution and hence could start as the favourites in the first semi-final against Pakistan on Wednesday.
Pakistan spinners Yasir Shah and Nauman Ali took five wickets between them to restrict South Africa to 220 all out, but the home side faltered in reply to close on 33 for four on day one of a fast-moving first Test in Karachi on Tuesday.
South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma revealed that Quinton de Kock's withdrawal over Cricket South Africa's directive to take the knee in a way also inspired the team in their T20 World Cup match against the West Indies, in Dubai, on Tuesday.
He came out with a plan and that plan was to use his brute force to smash bowlers all around the park to take his team home to victory.
It could well be the last mega auction the BCCI may conduct, as most of the original IPL franchises want it discontinued.
Dravid said that he doesn't want to reveal his side to the opposition before the main day.
Images from Saturday's IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals, in Abu Dhabi.
In other big movements, Punjab Kings have released their last edition's captain Mayank Agarwal, while West Indies skipper Nicholas Pooran was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad.
South Africa's Anrich Nortje took the vital wickets of captain Joe Root and talisman Ben Stokes as England struggled to 262 for nine at stumps on the first day of the second Test on Friday. Pace bowler Nortje, playing his fourth Test, finished with 2-54 off 17 overs as the home side restricted the tourists on a Newlands wicket that was expected to be full of runs. Images from the opening day of the second Test at Newlands on Friday.
Images from Day 3 of the third Test between South Africa and India, in Cape Town, on Thursday.
Rabada was pretty confident that bowling yorkers was the best option.
Pakistan had been reduced to 76 for five in their second innings as South Africa's spinners made inroads through the top order having been bowled out for 201 in another shambolic display with the bat.
'He (Bumrah) is a special talent. He has got that awkward action, which works as an advantage for him over the batsmen'
Images from the IPL match between Delhi Capitals and SunRisers Hyderabad, in Chennai, on Sunday.
Stoinis gave DC the start they were looking for, then picked two wickets in the powerplay, and, most importantly, got Kane Williamson to end SRH's challenge.
Images from Day 2 of the first Test between New Zealand and South Africa in Christchurch on Friday.
India's formidably consistent match-winners have a date with history in the New Year when they take on an out-of-sorts South Africa in the second Test in Johannesburg from Monday in pursuit of a coveted first-ever series win in the Rainbow Nation.
Matt Henry produced a career-best seven for 23 in a spectacular display of pace bowling as New Zealand skittled out South Africa for 95 in two sessions to take charge of the opening Test in Christchurch on Thursday.
Images from the Indian Premier League Qualifier 1 between Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings, in Dubai, on Sunday.
Delhi Capitals hardly broke a sweat in the run chase, cantering to victory in 17.4 overs, their sixth win in eight matches.
'At the end of the day, we also had to look at players who will figure in the playing XI.'
IMAGES from the IPL match played between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals in Hyderabad on Sunday
Delhi Capitals' South African pacer Anrich Nortje was a delighted man after finally getting out of his hotel room for his first nets session, in Dubai, on Sunday. Nortje, who spent the last six days in his hotel room, says he felt like being "locked in prison" during the quarantine period.
Mayank Agarwal believes that the franchise has built a title-winning squad for the IPL beginning March 26.
Eyeing a maiden IPL title, the fancied Delhi Capitals will face another litmus test in the form of a Kolkata Knight Riders unit brimming with optimism when the two sides lock horns in the Qualifier 2 match in Sharjah on Wednesday.
The match, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, will also be a face-off between skippers KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, both seen as future India captaincy material.
Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj ran through the Bangladesh batting order to lead South Africa to an emphatic 333-run victory in the first test as the visitors capitulated meekly on the final morning on Monday.
Having shown exceptional consistency in both red and white-ball cricket for Team India, Pant will now look to recreate the same magic for his franchise.
Royal Challengers Bangalore have beaten Delhi Capitals 14 times in the IPL.
Gujarat are clearly the team to beat in the competition having won eight out of nine games.
Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Eoin Morgan said his team produced its most 'complete performance' of the season so far when it upstaged the fancied Delhi Capitals by 59 runs to bolster their hopes of making it to the IPL play-offs.
Images from the Indian Premier League match between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders, in Sharjah, on Wednesday.
Virat Kohli's talismanic presence will be the shot in the arm that India would need in their bid to win the historic first-ever away Test series against South Africa.
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