With the unavailability of ace pacer Kagiso Rabada, Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Delhi Capitals (DC) would find it pretty tough at the fag end of the tournament. However, their head coach Ricky Ponting is optimistic that New Zealand speedster Trent Boult will bring something to the table in the ongoing IPL 2019.
Earlier, on Saturday (May 3), it has been made clear that Rabada has pulled out of the ongoing IPL due to a back niggle. Recently, he has missed a game against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Ponting hopeful about Boult show:
Ponting added, Boult might not have played of late, but he is capable of doing his bit. He cited that Boult has bowled well in the first spell before going for runs at the business end of the innings.
“He hasn’t played for a little while and he is bound to be a bit rusty. His first two overs were good, it is just that his death overs didn’t go well against Chennai,” IANS quoted Ponting as saying.
The Purple Cap holder Rabada, who has snared 25 scalps in 12 matches, had undergone tests this week. Thus, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has access to those tests before taking a major call ahead of the ICC Men’s World Cup 2019.
On the other side, veteran Australian cricketer Ponting revealed the decision regarding Rabada’s unavailability was taken solely by CSA. He added the franchise had no such control over the decision.
“It was a decision that CSA made. KG had complained of a sore lower back. After our last game in Delhi, he felt it went a little worse. A massive loss, but one we think we can cover. We have Trent Boult, who did well last season so he can do the job. Rabada has held the ship up when it came to the death bowling. To have very good death bowlers is important,” Ponting added.
Capitals will comeback: Ponting
Following the humiliating 80-run loss against CSK, Pointed reiterated the loss as a ‘wake-up call’. However, he is confident of his wards on making things count against Rajasthan Royals (RR).
“It should not be difficult as we played some excellent cricket in the first four or five weeks. Just a bit of a wake-up call. As far as the timing was concerned it was right and you will see the boys bouncing back in the last game,” Ponting stated.
With 16 points in their kitty, Ponting believes they’re supposed to finish off things on high. He is keen to see boys delivering and making a statement following an occasional blip.
“We still have a lot to play for. We need to win this game to qualify in the first or second spot. It will be a relaxed session today, but it will be a good contest and I want to see how the boys bounce back. The boys have done really well,” Ponting concluded.
Besides, Ponting has heaped praises on Shreyas Iyer for his calm-headedness and maturity.