“If we had managed to keep them around 230, it might have been a different story” Rishabh Pant
Delhi Capitals (DC) faced a severe setback in their latest IPL fixture, as they were convincingly defeated by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 20th. Despite entering the match with back-to-back wins and high hopes for their return to their home ground, DC found themselves overwhelmed, conceding a monumental total of 266 runs—marking the second occasion this season they’ve allowed more than 250 runs in a game.
DC’s effort with the bat was commendable, yet they still finished the match with a significant deficit.
DC captain Rishabh Pant pinpointed where things went awry, particularly with their bowling, after the match.
Rishabh Pant“If we had managed to keep them around 220-230, it might have been a different story,”
He identified the opening powerplay as the critical juncture where SRH gained a substantial advantage, scoring an unprecedented 125 runs—the highest in T20 history for a powerplay. Travis Head, contributing a massive 84 runs during this phase, was pivotal in setting this record.
Pant Added“The powerplay really set us back. They scored big early on, and we were just trying to catch up from there,” said Pant. He also noted the unexpected playing conditions during the second innings, stating, “The ball stopped a bit more than we anticipated, which complicated our chase. We needed to keep the scoreboard ticking, but it was challenging under those conditions.”
Travis Head, named Player of the Match, discussed his approach and his productive partnership with Abhishek Sharma.
Head“Batting with Abhishek is always enjoyable. He’s strong against the spinners, and I just let him play his game while I focus on each ball,” Head explained. He emphasised the importance of maintaining a simple, responsive approach to batting.
The win catapulted SRH to the second position on the points table, while DC was left to reconsider their strategies and mental approach for upcoming games. “We need to come back with a clearer mindset and a more thought-out approach,” concluded Pant, signaling a forward-looking perspective despite the disheartening loss.
19:30 IST
