Delhi Capitals (DC) all-rounder Marcus Stoinis reckons playing “fearless cricket” could see them emerge victorious against a resurgent Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2020 Qualifier 2 in Dubai on Sunday (November 8).
While DC will come into the game with a 57-run loss to Mumbai Indians (MI) in Qualifier 1, SRH will enter with a 6-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Eliminator.
“I think we’re going well. We’ve got to play some fearless cricket, and it’s a great opportunity for us. In these long tournaments, there’s a good chance most teams are going to go through those ebbs and flows,” said Stoinis on the eve of the game, as quoted by PTI.
“…But if you gave me this opportunity at the start of the season — that we’d finish second, and we’ve got one game to win to get into the final — I think everyone here would take that.”
Even though the Capitals suffered defeats in both their league encounters against SRH, Stoinis is confident of a positive result.
“They’re a dangerous team, but I think if we play some good cricket then we’re good enough to win,” he said.
Asked to sum up the SRH challenge, Stoinis said, “They have been in good form this season. They’ve finished the season really well, raced into the playoffs, and they won last night obviously.
“They’re a strong team, and have got some really good batters, some in-form players, some dangerous bowlers as well, so it’s going to be a good game.”
The Australian picked leg-spinner Rashid Khan, skipper David Warner and the seasoned Kane Williamson as major threats in the opposition camp.
“I think Rashid Khan is obviously a great bowler… everyone knows that. He’s going to be dangerous and important for them. You’ve got David Warner and then Kane Williamson, who has been really organised and has steadied the ship for them a few times.”
Stoinis acknowledged that the conditions in the UAE kept changing, but believed his team has the ability to adapt.
“Yeah, it’s been a little bit hard to tell — I mean some nights there’s been dew, some nights there’s been a lot less… which has affected whether it’s a lot easier to chase or bat first.
“But I guess the main thing is that we adapt when we get there, and I assume the (Abu Dhabi) wicket is going to be a lot central so both boundaries will be equally big.
“So it will be about being smart — certainly as a bowling unit and as individual batters. But we’ll be able to adapt to whatever is out there,” he said.
(With PTI inputs)