The Delhi Capitals struck rock bottom on Saturday, losing their fifth consecutive match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Despite the fact that the franchise has yet to win a game in the tournament, head coach Ricky Ponting is attempting to keep the mood light in the dressing room. After the match against Bengaluru, Ponting sent DC spinner Kuldeep Yadav a harsh message, telling him to “never say sorry to him.”
Ponting is still regarded as one of the most renowned managers in the game. Despite the fact that things aren’t going well for him and the Delhi Capitals right now, Ponting singled out several players who performed admirably against the Royal Challengers.
Back each other, play hard and believe in the process 🙌
📽| Our Head Coach Ricky Ponting and Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly had some inspirational words for the boys after #RCBvDC 💪#YehHaiNayiDilli #IPL2023 @RickyPonting @SGanguly99 pic.twitter.com/GV0ZNyFXOP
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) April 16, 2023
Ponting requested Kuldeep not to say’sorry’ to him during his speech. Kuldeep reportedly apologised to Ponting for his poor performance with the ball in the game against the Mumbai Indians.
“Excellent bowling performance.” They challenged us right away; they hit the ground running. We dragged our mindset and commitment back with us. Where have you gone, Kuldeep? Were you disappointed with the previous game? At the end of the game, you truly apologised to me. So, mate, never apologise to me or anyone else for what occurs on the cricket pitch. What I want you to do is come back strong, and today’s stretch of 2/23 off four was excellent. “Excellent work,” Ponting said in a video released by the Delhi Capitals.
The former Australia captain also praised DC all-rounder Lalit Yadav, who performed an excellent job with the ball, surrendering 29 runs in his four overs.
“Lalit, I felt you did a wonderful job with the ball as well, buddy. We bought you in today to bowl those hard overs in the Powerplay, right outside it, and you did a terrific job. Axar, you were also excellent. 1/25 off three and our golden boy Mitchell Marsh, who takes up 2/18 of his two overs as well. “You did an outstanding job,” Ponting added.
Ponting wasn’t totally satisfied with the team’s fielding. During his address, he challenged his players to improve their fielding from ‘excellent to exceptional’ in the upcoming games.
Fielding was excellent. But it was nice but not fantastic. When we take the pitch again, I want to improve our fielding from good to great. I want you to make your own plans, consider your own vision, develop your own game plan, and play it your way. One thing I remarked about the game is that I know you’re working hard. If you keep doing the right things, it will ultimately change. That’s the only way we’ll be able to move forward, lads – simply, as a group, work hard for each other to turn things around,” said the renowned former Australia captain.
Delhi Capitals are at the lowest of the IPL 2023 points standings after 5 losses in 5 games. They are the only team that has yet to win a single game this season.
