IPL 2021: It's Very Disappointing, Don't Have Enough Words - Rishabh Pant After Loss To CSK In Qualifier 1

Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant said the loss to the Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 1 on Sunday in Dubai was “very disappointing” as CSK chased down 173 in the last over, with MS Dhoni once again adding the finishing touch.

Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 70 off 50 balls and Robin Uthappa, who has been playing in place of the injured Suresh Raina, starred with 63 off 44 balls. Dhoni, who has been out of form this season, capped off the chase with 18 runs off 6 balls.

“Obviously it’s very disappointing. Don’t have enough words to describe how we are feeling right now. The only thing we can do is rectify our mistakes and move on to the next one,” Rishabh Pant said at the post-match presentation.

Rishabh Pant explains why he went with Tom Curran for the last over

Rishabh Pant made a surprising call to go with Tom Curran for the last over instead of Kagiso Rabada when 13 runs were required. The DC captain explained that Curran had had a better day than Rabada, picking up 2 wickets before the last over to Rabada’s none, and hence he opted for the Englishman over the South African.

That move, however, didn’t work as Curran, despite taking Moeen Ali’s wicket, conceded three fours to Dhoni.

“I thought that Tom bowled beautifully throughout the match; last over unfortunately went for runs. I thought the bowler who is having a great day, it’s better to use him for the last over,” Rishabh Pant explained.

Pant felt the score of 172 was defendable but Robin Uthappa’s fiery start gave CSK the platform for the chase.

“I thought the score was decent but they got off to a flier in the powerplay and we didn’t get enough wickets and that was the main difference. As a cricketer, we are going to rectify our mistakes, gonna learn from it and move on to the next one. Hopefully, we can win and play the final,” the DC skipper concluded.

While CSK have booked a place in another IPL final, DC, after the loss, will have another shot to reach the final – an advantage they gained by finishing in the top-two. They will next meet the winner of the Eliminator between RCB and KKR, in Qualifier 2 on Wednesday in Sharjah.

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