Delhi Capitals (DC), on Wednesday, produced a phenomenal performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. The Rishabh Pant-led DC steamrolled Punjab Kings (PBKS), defeating them comprehensively in a one-sided contest by nine wickets.
The triumph was indeed a special one for the whole DC camp considering the challenges they faced ahead of the fixture against PBKS. Notably, the DC unit was hit by the COVID-19 as the likes of Mitchell Marsh, and Tim Seifert tested positive.
The cloud over the DC vs PBKS game was lifted just an hour before the toss time after the BCCI gave clearance that the match would go as per the schedule. No wonder all these things are enough to puzzle players, but this didn’t restrict DC from dominating PBKS completely.
But how exactly the players performed so well and displayed their ‘A game’? Well, DC spinner Axar Patel revealed that DC head coach Ricky Ponting’s pep talk had charged up the entire squad.
“We were quarantined, and we started practice two-three days after that, he (Ponting) told us we have two options. We have to play the match. You can think that there are positive cases, and the preparations aren’t done. Or you can think all outside things are not in our hands, and you should show commitment with regard to the effort and preparation,” said Axar in the post-match presser.
The left-hander bowled exceptionally well, taking a brilliant two-wicket haul while conceding only 10 runs as DC bundled out Punjab for 115 before chasing the set target inside 11 overs.
After the match, Axar credited both Ponting and captain Pant for showing a lot of faith in him.
“I have a great tunning with Ricky Pointing and Rishabh Pant they showed a lot of faith in me. In every game, I focus on what I should do in my bowling so I can do my planning accordingly. And I’m doing the same thing for a while so I can contribute well in both batting and bowling for my team,” added Axar.
