Delhi Capitals (DC) stumbled in their second match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after starting the 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on a winning note. Playing their first game at home, the Capitals went down by six wickets on March 26 (Tuesday). Analysing their loss, head coach Ricky Ponting admitted that the last five-six overs during their batting cost them the game.
Meanwhile, after an early departure of Prithvi Shaw after smashing a few boundaries, it was Shikhar Dhawan and skipper Shreyas Iyer who bailed the side out. Although they were on the slower side bur rotated the strike to keep the scoreboard ticking. But Iyer got out, things started shifting in favour of Chennai Super Kings. Rishabh Pant played a cameo of 25 runs from 13 balls, but Dwayne Bravo with his brilliant change of pace kept the scoreboard in check. The Windies all-rounder returned with three wickets to restrict Delhi Capitals for 147 runs.
Speaking on their loss, Ricky Ponting stated the quick loss of wickets; however, he didn’t want to blame anybody for the loss. Meanwhile, the former Australia skipper is keen to look forward and is aiming to play better cricket in the next time.
“The last five-six overs batting [cost us the game]. Maybe the last six overs batting, and the first four overs [with the ball] we just got a little carried away. But I’m not going to point the finger at anyone because we’re in this together.
We win together, and we lose together. We will see how we can get better. In a few days’ time, we have another very good side in [Kolkata Knight Riders] on what I’m sure is going to be a slow pitch. So, we will learn a lot from tonight’s game and we have to make sure we play better next time,” Ponting said.
Dhoni likes to finish games for his side
Delhi Capitals opener, Shikhar Dhawan received criticisms for being to slow while batting. He ate too many balls and couldn’t end the innings as well. On the other hand, MS Dhoni took time to settle down but finished the game on his own.
Speaking about Dhoni, Ricky Ponting, mentioned that the former India skipper has a happy knack of finishing up games. He likes to score the winning runs and wants to play the last ball. Ponting also mentioned that Dhoni’s slow knock helped them to crawl back in the game, but he was there till the end to ensure no mishap happens.
“M. S. [Dhoni] has played a similar brand of T20 cricket for a number of years. He wants to be there when the last ball is bowled. He wants to be there to hit the winning runs.
That’s how he sees his role in their side. To be that man who gets the job done for them. Tonight, at some stage we felt the way he was playing was allowing us back into the game. But they win, he’s not out,” Ponting concluded.