Graeme Swann, the England off-spinner reckons that Delhi Capitals are a strong and happy team which is elaborated by the fact that otherwise serious coach Ricky Ponting smiling after a game which he never did against England.
During the recent edition of Star Sports’ show Cricket Connected, Graeme Swann and Ajit Agarkar put forth their thoughts on the reasons behind the Delhi Capitals’ successful run in IPL 2020 so far.
Graeme Swann: Shreyas Iyer Is An Exceptional Leader And Prithvi Shaw Favourite Indian Batsman
Graeme Swann praised the captaincy of young Shreyas Iyer and batting of Prithvi Shaw who according to him bats like the destructive Virender Sehwag.
“There are a couple of things. Shreyas Iyer is a very very good leader. Ricky Ponting, I saw him smile after a game which he never did when he played against England. So, I think they are a happy camp.”
“Prithvi Shaw, as well. I love the way he bats, he is like a baby Sehwag, he is like a miniature version of Virender Sehwag, who was one of my favourite Indian players of all time.”
“I think all in all, they have got a very strong team and they are playing with a lot of confidence. I think they look like the team to beat at the moment,” Graeme Swann added.
Graeme Swann believes that Delhi Capitals are playing with confidence and looking forward as title contenders to lift their maiden IPL trophy. Shreyas Iyer has scored 245 runs and Prithvi Shaw 202 runs while Shikhar Dhawan has 201 runs to his belt so far in IPL 2020. Graeme Swann believes Delhi Capitals are looking like a tough team to beat.
Ajit Agarkar: Shreyas Iyer Has Been Aggressive Which Helps One To Win T20 Games
Kagiso Rabada leads the maximum wicket-takers list with 17 wickets as 2nd placed Mumbai Indians Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult are way behind with 11 wickets. Anrich Nortje is also not too far behind with eight wickets. All are pacers while DC’s spinners Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin have six wickets each.
“Very few teams can afford to play two overseas seamers and obviously they are both very very good. But to fit two overseas seamers tells you how strong their Indian players are.”
“So, it makes Shreyas Iyer’s job a little bit easier but the way he has handled his bowling. You want to try and attack, it is much easier said than done but being aggressive helps you win T20 games.”
“He has of course got the bowling to do it but he has always been aggressive,” Ajit Agarkar added.
Ajit Agarkar, the former pacer feels Shreyas Iyer has been aggressive as the bowlers have bowled well led by Kagiso Rabada. Delhi Capitals are without the services of spinner Amit Mishra and pacer Ishant Sharma both of whom got injured and ruled out after playing a few games where they sustained injuries. Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is also resting for a week as advised by the medical team.
Delhi Capitals are 2nd placed behind Mumbai Indians who are ahead based on superior run rate. Both teams have 10 points in 7 matches. Delhi Capitals play Rajasthan Royals while Mumbai Indians face Kolkata Knight Riders next.