Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir expects Ricky Ponting to deliver this time as a head coach of Delhi Capitals (DC) since it is his third year with the franchise.

WATCH – Gavaskar analyses DC squad; says they have a very good chance of winning IPL this time

Under Ponting’s guidance, DC had made it to the play-offs for the first time in seven years last season.

"Any team can win the tournament. Mumbai I feel is a favourite but all teams are equally balanced and I hope Delhi will do better in the coming days of the tournament," Gambhir told ANI.

"Delhi has not won this tournament till now so Delhi people will also love to see their team winning and it's third year of Ricky Ponting with the team so he should deliver this time. I hope Shreyas Iyer and his combination will take Delhi to heights," he added.

Capitals will begin their IPL 2020 campaign against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) on September 20 in Dubai.

COVID-19 pandemic forced the BCCI to shift this year’s IPL to UAE. The tournament will be held in a bio-secure environment across three venues – Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

"I hope it's a successful tournament and I think players will make it successful and they should follow all the guidelines as well which BCCI has applied it's gonna be a good tournament," Gambhir said.

"I think a lot of moods will change and that's very important, a team will win but the important thing which will come out from this tournament will be that mood of the nation will change which is important as well," he further remarked.