Delhi Capitals (DC) assistant coach Mohammad Kaif believes that “clarity of mind” will be very important for the team when they take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Qualifier 2, as the DC is aiming to come back to winning ways after consecutive defeats in the ongoing IPL 2021.
Delhi Capitals (DC) topped the IPL 14 points table in the league stage with 20 points, but they lost their last league game followed by a four-wicket loss at the hands of Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 1 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2021).
Coming back to Qualifier 2 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Wednesday, October 13, DC had beaten Kolkata by 7 wickets in the first match in India, but then lost the second match by 3 wickets in the UAE, although, Kaif insisted that it would be a different game in Sharjah.
While admitting that every game in the IPL brings pressure, Kaif said that the players have to stay calm and keep a steady mind under pressure when they face KKR in Qualifier 2 in Sharjah.
Kaif said ahead of Qualifier 2: “It's a big day tomorrow. It's all about how we handle the pressure. Every game is a pressure game in the IPL, but this game is a different challenge for us. We have to stay calm and keep a steady mind under pressure. Clarity of mind will be very important for us.”
He further added, “We have had back-to-back losses, but now it's all about coming back. We have to rise after defeat in our game against KKR. And we have players who can win matches. There are a lot of experienced and in-form players.”
The former India cricketer said DC will look to take confidence from their previous win over KKR in the first phase of the IPL 2021. He added, “We have played all the KKR bowlers in the past and we have had success against the team. We defeated them in the first half of the tournament.”
Kaif signed off by saying, “We lost to KKR in the UAE phase of the tournament, but we were in control in some parts of that match as well. However, in the next match, both teams will be under the same pressure as both sides are playing for a spot in the Final.”
(With PTI Inputs)
