Delhi Capitals skipper Shreyas Iyer was all praises for his coach — Ricky Ponting saying that he has always given him the ‘freedom as captain’ of the team to lead it in his own wau. Iyer, 25, who is also the youngest captain in the IPL this season feels delighted to have the company of veteran Aussie Ponting. Previously, former Australia captain Ponting served as the coach of four-time IPL winners, Mumbai Indians.
According to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) the players and the support staff need quarantine for six days on reaching UAE and go through three COVID-19 tests resulting negative, only then can they begin their training. Delhi Capitals have completed their mandatory six-day quarantine in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and have finally begun their training.
Blessed to work closely with Ricky Ponting in the IPL: Shreyas Iyer
Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting is the head coach of Delhi Capitals this season and captain Shreyas Iyer is excited on the opportunity to work with such a huge figure. Iyer says Ponting gives him the freedom to play his own game which has helped him grow. Shreyas Iyer wants to win the tournament for fans sitting at home supporting them.
“I feel very blessed to be given this opportunity to work with someone like Ricky Ponting, he is a legend and he makes everyone feel at home and a part of this unit. As a skipper, he gives me freedom and that has helped me to grow as a cricketer,” Iyer said in a video posted on the official website of IPL.
“Delhi as a team has never made it to the finals, last year we made it to the playoffs and that has given us a lot of confidence. Playing without fans will make us extra motivated in order to win the tournament for all those who would be watching from home,” he added.
Delhi Capitals eye their first IPL title
DC are one of the three sides to have never won the IPL. Moreover, they have never even made it to the finals. They have quite some squad depth this season to go for the extra mile with new additions like Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin, Marcus Stoinis, who have bolstered their lineup as an all-rounder.
The IPL 2020 will be played between September 19 and November 10. The venue this time is UAE and matches will be played in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah respectively.