Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting feels the team’s veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin not completing his quota of four overs was a mistake on their part.
DC was in a commanding position against Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday but Chris Morris turned the match on its head with his blistering knock of 18-ball 36 to take his team over the line by three wickets.
Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin had bowled an economical spell as he conceded only 14 runs in three overs. In fact, the off-spinner didn’t even concede a boundary in the three overs he bowled and bowled with an economy of 4.70. Ashwin has all the experience under his belt but Pant trusted his fast bowlers ahead of the spinner.
Morris, who is known for his blistering batting, took 15 runs in the penultimate over which was bowled by Delhi Capitals pack leader Kagiso Rabada. The right-hander from South Africa, then finished the game as he scored 14 runs in the final over bowled by Tom Curran when 12 were required.
Ricky Ponting said in the post-match press conference, “Certainly, we will talk about this when we get together as a team. He (Ashwin) had bowled beautifully, bowling 3-0-14-0 and didn’t concede a boundary. He didn’t have a good first game, and he really worked hard in the past few days and adjusted to get things right in this game.”
“He bowled beautifully tonight, and it (not bowling his full quota) was a mistake on our behalf, something we will be talking about as a team later on.”
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant is still young in his captaincy career and he is expected to learn with time. Pant was leading for only the second time in the IPL and he will need to get the best out of his players in crunch situations.
After 16 overs, Rajasthan Royals were 105-7 with dangerous David Miller back in the hunt and the Delhi Capitals were in a commanding position. However, Chris Morris was able to turn the tables for Rajasthan Royals.
Delhi Capitals will play their next match against Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 18th April.
