Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach Ricky Ponting was highly disappointed by his team’s lacklustre display in the IPL 2024 match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Vizag on Wednesday (April 3).
The Capitals were outplayed in all facets of the game as they suffered a crushing 106-run loss at the hands of KKR. It was their third defeat in four games this season.
All the DC bowlers were taken to the cleaners as KKR racked a mammoth 272/7 on the board – the second highest total in IPL history. Sunil Narine was the top scorer with 85 off 39 balls (7 fours and 7 sixes), while emerging star Angkrish Raghuvanshi smashed a dazzling half-century (54 off 27 balls). Andre Russell (41 off 19 balls) and Rinku Singh (26 off 8 balls) also returned with brilliant cameos.
In reply, Delhi’s innings folded for 166 in 17.2 overs. While skipper Rishabh Pant (55 off 25) and Tristan Stubbs (54 off 32) slammed quickfire half-centuries, they didn’t get adequate support from the other end.
"I was almost embarrassed with our first half of the game today - to concede that many runs. It took us two hours as well to bowl our overs, so we were two overs behind again, which means the guys bowling the last two overs only get to bowl with four fielders outside the circle," Ponting said in the post-match press conference.
The coach highlighted the need for immediate rectification of the team's shortcomings, stating: "There are a lot of things that happened in this game that are unacceptable; we have to fix [them] immediately to go forward in this tournament."
Reflecting on KKR's dominant display, Ponting said their powerplay assault set the tone for a resounding victory.
"They got off to a flying start in the powerplay. They were around 90 runs after six overs. That phase is not ideal; if that happens at the start of the game, then you are always trying to find your way back into the game and they did not allow us to do that today. They were relentless. We have got to be very critical on ourselves," he remarked.
Ponting downplayed Rishabh Pant's physical condition during the match, attributing it to potential tiredness or cramping. He also lauded Pant's batting prowess in the chase
"Pleased for him, what he did with the bat. A situation like that, where he had to go out and attack from the start is probably a scenario that he needed just to get some confidence back. He is actually had two good games with the bat now which is great," he stated.
Ricky Ponting also acknowledged the missed opportunities in taking DRS calls, emphasizing the need for improved communication within the team.
"Narine was missed and then Shreyas Iyer was missed later on. I am not sure what happened there. Obviously, Rishabh had not heard them. Other fielders and bowlers on the ground actually heard something on both occasions," Ponting concluded.
(With ANI Inputs)
