Delhi Capitals (DC) might have suffered a dramatic seven-wicket loss against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their last league game of IPL 2021, but head coach Ricky Ponting isn’t at all concerned by it.
In fact, Ponting feels the defeat has given his team a "chance to reflect" ahead of the playoffs.
The Capitals will take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the first qualifier on Sunday (October 10) in Dubai.
"It was a disappointing way for the game to end, and for us to lose the way we did, but I am not unhappy about it at all. I actually think, it's a really good thing because it will give the boys a chance to reflect and think about how we can improve for Sunday's game," Ponting quoted as saying by PTI.
"It's a short turnaround, so you have to forget about things and start focusing on the next game."
Despite the loss, Ponting believes DC played better cricket as compared to the last couple of matches which they won in the league stage.
"A lot to like about the game, even though we have lost. I think it's a step forward. If you look at the last game (against Chennai Super Kings), it wasn't a great performance, the Mumbai game wasn't a great performance either, but we still managed to win those games.
"If you look at it, we probably have played better tonight than the games we have won, so that's certainly the way I look at it. It's not about end results, it's about the performances we were putting on the board," he said.
The head coach is confident about his team doing well heading into the playoffs.
"Prithvi played his best game tonight, Shikhar probably looked his best in the tournament, so there's a lot to like about this group.
"As I said earlier, we have played good cricket, the challenge now for us over the next week is to play great cricket, and I think that's just around the corner for us."
Delhi Capitals finished the IPL 2021 league stage on top with 10 wins, which also include two victories in as many games against Chennai Super Kings.
Speaking about their Qualifier 1 match against CSK, Ponting said, "I think we should be very confident. We have beaten them twice in the league games, but as you know, the playoff games are completely different, and our tournament really starts now."
(With PTI inputs)
