Chetan Sakariya and Rishabh Pant (Image Credits: Twitter)
Chetan Sakariya and Rishabh Pant (Image Credits: Twitter)

Delhi Capitals (DC) pacer Chetan Sakariya revealed that he felt demotivated after being glossed over for a spot in the playing XI but the head coach, Ricky Ponting, kept him motivated throughout the IPL 2022 season.

After being bought in the mega auction by DC, Sakariya expected to be there in most of the matches. However, he barely received game time in the initial stages which brought about a change in his mental state.

When Delhi Capitals bought me, I did think that I would get to play all the games. I wasn’t demotivated when I didn’t play, but my confidence level dropped a bit and there was self-doubt. But there was a change in my mental toughness. I went into a shell in the initial 10-12 days of the IPL.”

Chetan Sakariya, IPL 2022
Chetan Sakariya (Credits: BCCI/IPL)

Ricky sir also knew this thing (about him feeling low). He always used to come and talk and used to tell that there needs to be frustration, only then you are a true player. So this is what motivates you to do better when an opportunity comes,” Sakariya revealed in a chat with Sportskeeda.

“Watson sir also told me about how I should approach the practice sessions” – Chetan Sakariya

Sakariya continued warming the bench but the assistant coach, Shane Watson, also tried to get the best out of the pacer in the practice sessions and offered advice that helped the youngster.

Shane Watson Sir realized that I was feeling low and although I was focusing on practice, something was off. So Sir called me into his room and spoke at length about many things. That made me feel a lot better. He also told me about how I should approach the practice sessions to get the best out of them.”

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Chetan Sakariya
Chetan Sakariya. Image: IPL/BCCI.

He asked what type of bowling I wanted to do. I replied by saying that I always want to be aggressive and want to look into the eyes of the batter. So we started working on my body language and aggressive bowling in the nets and I felt better,” he added.

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