Ricky Ponting | IPL 2019 | Delhi Capitals |
Ricky Ponting. Credit: IPL

The Head Coach of Delhi Capitals, Ricky Ponting has explained the tactic behind the promotion of Marcus Stoinis and Shimron Hetmyer ahead of Shreyas Iyer.

In a chase of a massive 220 runs, both the lower-order batters and wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant as well came to bat in ahead of captain Shreyas Iyer, who normally bats at the fall of the first wicket. Delhi are slumping in the second half of the tournament as they suffered their third consecutive defeat and have slipped to the third spot in the points table.

Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, IPL 2020, Twitter Reactions
Delhi Capitals. Image Credits: IPL

It was all circumstantial because we were chasing such a big total: Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting in the post-match conference said that they wanted to go neck and neck with SRH’ scores in order to remain in the game. To get close to Hyderabad’s score of 77 in the powerplay, Ponting used the tactic of sending Stoinis and Hetmyer early. He said that the all-rounder had been in sensational form in the tournament and was asking for an opportunity up the order. Both the batsman got out cheaply, however, Ponting isn’t worried too much, as it was they were just trying to do some experiments.

In the post-match press conference, Ricky Ponting said, “Chasing 220, with Rahane and Shikhar at the top, we thought if we lost an early wicket, we would have to match them (SRH) in the powerplay and get to 65 or 70.”

“Stoinis has been in sensational form in the tournament so far, he was dying for an opportunity at the top-order. And as you saw, the second ball he faced, he whacked it over long-on. It didn’t come off today but it was all circumstantial because we were chasing such a big total. Hetmyer at four and then Pant at five and Iyer at six. It was a bit of experimentation,” he added.

Saha played beautifully he actually surprised me: Ricky Ponting

Wriddhiman Saha
Wriddhiman Saha (Credits: BCCI)

Ricky Ponting lamented on the sloppiness in fielding his players showed. He also talked about SRH’s batting changes, as they expected Wriddhiman Saha and Kane Williamson to come into the eleven. He admitted on being actually surprised how brilliantly Saha batted. Saha played a blinder of 87 runs from 45 balls, earning him the Man of the Match award.

“Our fielding has been a bit sloppy in the last couple of games and our batsmen have struggled to find any sort of rhythm. We expected this to happen. We knew that Kane may come back for this game so Bairstow may have to sit out, which meant Saha would have to come back as a wicketkeeper.”

“We had a good chat in the morning before the game started on how we wanted to play against Saha, and obviously Kane if he batted at no. 4. Saha played beautifully he actually surprised me,”  Ponting added.

Delhi will now face Mumbai Indians on Saturday in an important encounter in Dubai. Both the teams are vying for a top-two finish.

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