‘Unacceptable and Embarrassing’ – Ponting on DC
The Delhi Capitals (DC) faced a severe drubbing in their recent IPL clash against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), with the match concluding in a staggering 106-run defeat for the Capitals. In a match where KKR’s powerful performance saw them posting an impressive total of 272 runs, DC faltered significantly, being bowled out for a mere 166.
The aftermath of this crushing defeat saw Delhi Capitals’ head coach, Ricky Ponting, express vehement displeasure over the team’s performance. Ponting did not mince his words, branding the result as ‘unacceptable’ and ’embarrassing’. He remarked on the gravity of the situation, demonstrating his frustration with the team’s display on the field.
Ricky Ponting, DC’s head coach speaking in the post-match press conferenceIt’s pretty hard to assess right now. I mean I was almost embarrassed with our first half of the game today. To concede that many runs…we bowled 17 wides and it took us two hours to bowl our overs as well, so we were two overs behind again, which means the guys bowling last two overs only get to bowl with four fieldsmen outside the circle.
In addition to the disappointing loss, the Capitals also faced issues with maintaining the required pace of play, finishing two overs behind the rate for consecutive games – a point of concern that Ponting noted.
Ricky Ponting, DC’s head coach speaking in the post-match press conferenceWe can’t afford to do that, no other team is doing that. We have been two overs down two games in a row, that’s more than 10 minutes down going into the last couple of overs of a bowling innings.
Below-par game management emerged as a theme, particularly in how skipper Rishabh Pant handled moments that may have called for video reviews. On two distinct occasions, Pant opted not to resort to the available review system, decisions that certainly did not contribute positively to the Capitals’ fortunes.
Ricky Ponting, DC’s head coach speaking in the post-match press conferenceI haven’t had a chance to talk to Rishabh about those. I mean, obviously, Rishabh hasn’t heard them, other fielders and bowlers did hear something on both occasions. But look, at the end of the day, they are little things.
The match, however, was not without its standout performances. Sunil Narine, who was later named Player of the Match, played a brilliant innings for KKR, smashing 39-ball 85 that largely set up the victory for his team. Despite the overall dismal outcome, Ponting found reason to praise one of his players, 18-year-old Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who made his mark on his IPL batting debut.
Ricky Ponting, DC’s head coach speaking in the post-match press conferenceI thought the youngster at No.3 played really well and that allowed Russ and all those guys to play the way they always play. And they had wickets in hand, so they can keep going hard.
While Ponting acknowledged some silver linings amidst the defeat, he firmly emphasized the necessity for the team to critique their own performance earnestly. He expressed the need for the Capitals to embark on a reflective journey, analyzing their gameplay critically to devise concrete improvements ahead of their upcoming matches.
Ricky Ponting, DC’s head coach speaking in the post-match press conferenceThey did lots of things really well but we got to be really critical of ourselves, on our own performances, and we got to look at ways to get better for the next game.
The defeat and accompanying criticism come as a seismic jolt for the Delhi Capitals, serving as a reminder of the relentless nature of the IPL and the level of performance expected from each team. Fans and critics alike will now be closely watching the Capitals’ next move as they seek to bounce back from this setback.
19:30 IST
