IPL 2021 | Delhi Capitals' performance in the first half doesnât matter, we need to restart, states Ricky Ponting
Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting feels that the team's performance in the first leg of the IPL doesnât matter once the tournament resumes on Sunday, September 19. The Capitals currently occupy the top position in the points table, with six wins from their first eight games.
The Delhi Capitals, who'd finished runners-up last season, carried on their form during the first-half of the 2021 edition, winning six of their first eight games before the tournament was postponed due to growing covid-19 concerns.
Ahead of the second leg, head coach Ricky Ponting ruled out complacency, and stated that the team will have to restart once again.
âIt doesnât matter what weâve done in the first half of the season. Itâs been four months since when we played some really good cricket, so we really have to start again,â stated Ponting in a press release issued by the franchise.
âWe have to build ourselves as we go along in the tournament and make sure that we are playing our best cricket at the back end of the tournament.
âOur performance in the first half of the tournament was because of how well we played and how hard we worked, but I donât think we played our best cricket.â
The two-time World Cup winning captain said that he was quite keen on regrouping with the squad, and praised the other support staff members for their work during their pre-season camp.Â
âI have been waiting for four months to come back to the Delhi Capitals camp," Ponting said. "I have such a great time when I work with the team and itâs a great time in my calendar year. I have been keeping a close eye on whatâs been happening here. I have been speaking to the coaching staff here and they have done a great job so far (in the pre-season camp). You can see with the intensity and the attitude shown by the players that itâs been a really worthwhile camp so far.
"I am really excited about what weâve got coming up in the next four-five weeks.â
Ponting also spoke about Shreyas Iyer, who returns to competitive cricket for the first time, since having sustained a shoulder injury during India's home series against England earlier this year.
âItâs great to have Shreyas back. He has got an infectious attitude," Ponting said.
I have been talking to him a lot and his training has been great. Heâs so keen to get back into the field, score runs and win. Heâs a world-class player and heâs going to add a lot to our team, thereâs no doubt about that."
The Capitals will play Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday, September 22 in Dubai.