Delhi Capitals' (DC) head coach Ricky Ponting is elated to join the franchise in Dubai for the second phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, due to begin on Sunday (September 19).
Ponting is pleased with the preparation as he believes players have shown great intensity during the pre-season camp.
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"I have been waiting for four months to come back to the Delhi Capitals camp. I have such a great time when I work with the team and it's a great time in my calendar year. I have been keeping a close eye on what's been happening here. I have been speaking to the coaching staff here and they have done a great job so far (in the pre-season camp).
“You can see with the intensity and the attitude shown by the players that it's been a really worthwhile camp so far. I am really excited about what we've got coming up in the next four-five weeks," he said, according to a DC release.
With 6 wins from 8 games, Delhi Capitals were leading the points table in the first half of the IPL 2021 but Ponting reckons the standing doesn't matter as the side will have to re-build once again.
"It doesn't matter what we've done in the first half of the season. It's been four months since when we played some really good cricket, so we really have to start again. We have to build ourselves as we go along in the tournament and make sure that we are playing our best cricket at the back end of the tournament. Our performance in the first half of the tournament was because of how well we played and how hard we worked, but I don't think we played our best cricket," said the head coach.
Shreyas Iyer couldn't play the first leg of the Indian Premier League due to a shoulder injury. The Capitals were led by Rishabh Pant and they are now pleased to have their regular skipper back.
"It's great to have Shreyas back. He has got an infectious attitude. I have been talking to him a lot and his training has been great. He's so keen to get back into the field, score runs and win. He's a world-class player and he's going to add a lot to our team, there's no doubt about that," Ponting said.
Delhi Capitals will resume their campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on September 22.
(With ANI inputs)
