Mohammad Kaif
Mohammad Kaif for Delhi Capitals (BCCI/IPL)

Former India batsman and the assistant coach of Delhi Capitals, Mohammad Kaif opines that they have the squad well-equipped for winning the trophy this time around, after losing in the final to Mumbai Indians last season. Last year, the Delhi franchise reached the final of the IPL for the first time in history but was not good enough against a rampant Rohit Sharma-led outfit.

Mohammad Kaif says that the players want to do one better than the previous time, and reckons the side has the strength to achieve the same, despite not having regular skipper Shreyas Iyer in the side. Iyer is ruled out due to an injury, and Rishabh Pant will don the captain’s hat this year.

Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant (Image Credit: Twitter)

The 40-year-old points out that several players of the squad are coming with some cricket, whether international or domestic or franchise, into the IPL, and hence, they won’t be too difficult to find their rhythm.

“We want to go one step further this year and that’s the Delhi Capitals team goal. We have the players to win the title. We were very close last year,” Mohammad Kaif said in a release by the franchise.

“The plus point for this season is that most of the players such as Rishabh Pant have been playing a lot of cricket. They have been in touch with the game and therefore they are in good rhythm going into the IPL,” he added.

I am looking forward to meeting Ricky Ponting in person: Mohammad Kaif

Mohammad Kaif attended his first practice session conducted at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai on Saturday. He talked with some of the senior players, and will soon meet head coach Ricky Ponting and discuss the plans. The Capitals commence their campaign on April 10 against Chennai Super Kings in Mumbai.

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Mohammad Kaif, Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting (Twitter)
Mohammad Kaif, Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting (Twitter)

“The players have been carrying out batting and bowling drills in the last few days. As a coaching group we decided to focus on fielding skills in today’s practice session. The players took some catches under lights. It was a great session. I got to meet many young players in the team and the experienced ones as well. I had a good chat with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane.

“I am looking forward to meeting Ricky in person. I have been in touch with him on the phone. We will chalk out a training plan with Ponting for the upcoming days once he joins the team on the field,” the former batsman stated.

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