Dahiya feels the freedom given by head coach Ponting played a key role in DC's success so far.
Delhi Capitals (DC) head talent scout Vijay Dahiya on Thursday (October 15) said the DC head coach Ricky Ponting has given the players the needed freedom to express themselves from the first day and that’s the key reason behind the team’s success so far in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 in the UAE.
Dahiya, former India wicket-keeper, further revealed that the complete freedom given by Ponting has encouraged South African speedster Anrich Nortje to go all out and bowl the fastest delivery (156.2 kmph) against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in an IPL 13 clash in Dubai on 14th October.
Dahiya told IANS from UAE on Thursday (15 October), “The word floating around our team is freedom. You give people the freedom to go out there and be confident about it.”
He further added, “From day one, Ponting has been emphasizing with everyone that we give batsmen and bowlers that freedom to express themselves. By nature, Nortje is someone who goes out and bowls fast. There are no instructions to bowl fast. You cannot ask everyone to bowl fast. If you have genuine pace, then obviously you'd like to give that.”
Nortje came into the DC squad after Chris Woakes pulled out of the IPL 2020 and Dahiya pointed out the reason behind picking him: “There are a few things when you seek a replacement. Speed is one thing but you know he is an international cricketer as well. The management was keeping a good eye on him. Everyone knew he had pace. When you are looking for pace, you look for an out and out fast bowler.”
The Proteas stars Kagiso Rabada and Nortje have been doing great job for the DC together in the ongoing IPL 2020 and the Capitals scout talent head mentioned: “Having Rabada from the same team also helps. It is a great understanding between the two; both are helping each other out.”
Meanwhile, Nortje has been struggling with injuries ever since he started playing rugby as he had to quit the game after he broke his collar bone as a 17-year-old, but even then the injuries didn't stop running after the pacer and he had to miss last year's IPL (for KKR) and part of the MSL 2018.
A couple of injuries in the lower back and umbilical hernia has also troubled him during his entry in top-level first-class cricket in South Africa but now he has overcome all that with his amazing work ethic.
Dahiya signed off by saying, “Luckily, because of the Covid-19 situation, the DC camp was almost three-week-long, you got into a rhythm. Nortje's work ethic is phenomenal. It brought that confidence in him. He has done well. Also because of Covid, you got more time to pay emphasis on your fitness and work on areas that require fitness. There has been less international cricket in the last six-seven months so that gives you enough time to recover and get strong.”
(With IANS Inputs)