Ricky Ponting, the head coach of Delhi Capitals, attributed his team’s Indian Premier League loss to too many dot balls in the middle overs (IPL). While attempting to reach a modest 167 as a target, the Capitals fell to the Super Kings by a score of 27 runs.
Ponting applauded his team’s bowlers for keeping the Super Kings to under 170 runs in his post-game remarks, but he lamented the number of dot balls his hitters had played in the middle overs. He stated, “I think the important point in the game came in the middle overs when we weren’t able to rotate the strike and kept playing dot balls. In the end, that put a lot of pressure on us.”
Ponting also announced that Prithvi Shaw had been dropped from the playing XI because of his out-of-form performance.
However, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming was pleased with his team’s effort and commended the hitters for their cameo efforts. Fleming said this was necessary for the modern form of cricket in the IPL.
MS Dhoni, the team’s captain, was singled out for special praise by Fleming, who claimed that his useful cameo towards the conclusion of the innings (9-ball 20) was essential in raising the team’s total to a respectable mark. He continued by saying Dhoni has been focusing on developing his powerful hitting technique, which was apparent in his innings.
The win takes CSK to the top of the IPL table with 8 points from 5 matches, while DC remains in fourth place with 6 points from 5 matches.
