DC coach Ricky Ponting has confirmed that Axar Patel will be captaining the side in the absence of Rishabh Pant against RCB on Sunday, May 12. Pant was handed a one-match ban for a third slower-rate offence this season during the win over RR. Axar was named as the vice-captain of Delhi while Pant was still recovering from his injury and David Warner was leading the side.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Bengaluru, Ponting said that Axar is a very experienced and sensible player who understands the game well. The DC coach said that the all-rounder is excited about taking up the role of captain for the match against RCB.
“Axar Patel will be our captain tomorrow. He’s obviously been the vice-captain of the franchise for the last couple of seasons. Very experienced IPL player, a very experienced international player. Very sensible guy, understands the game very well. He’s really excited about it, to be honest,” Ponting said.
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Started talking about Pant ban a few days ago
Ponting said that they had been talking about Pant being banned over the last few days and feels that Axar has got his head around the situation. The DC coach said that the bowler meetings have been done and Axar will catch up with the team in the night and they would go through all the plans.
“We started talking about it a couple of days ago about the possibility that Rishabh (Pant) might be banned. He’s got his head around it. We have done our bowlers meetings today, he’ll catch up with all the guys tonight, go through all the plans and make sure he’s ready to lead the team tomorrow,” he added.
Ponting said that DC will have no excuses tomorrow despite Pant not being in the lineup. The Delhi coach feels if they turn up and play their best game, then they would be hard to beat.
"There are no excuses from us tomorrow, regardless of Pant not being in the lineup. If we turn up and play our best game, then I know that the Delhi Capitals will be very hard to beat tomorrow," said Ponting.
DC have 12 from 12 matches while RCB have 10 from 12 games at the moment.
Published On:
May 11, 2024
English (US) ·