Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting feels Rajasthan Royals have a potent squad and he has picked them as one of the favorites for the upcoming IPL 2023. The Sanju Samson-led had qualified for the final in the previous edition but could not cross the last hurdle against Gujarat Titans.
RR had added players like Jason Holder, Joe Root, Adam Zampa, and KM Asif in IPL 2023 auction. Furthermore, they already have players like Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, Shimron Hetmyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ravichandran Ashwin on their roster.
Thus, the inaugural champions cover most of the bases and they will be looking to go all the way in the tournament.
Ponting said in the latest edition of the ICC Review: “It’s a tough question…as very rarely does a team dominate the IPL from the start to the finish. Obviously, Gujarat (Titans) last year was amazing, a brand new team and were able to win the tournament.”
Ponting continued: “The other finalist last year, Rajasthan Royals, I think have got a really, really good squad. And we said that last year, immediately after the auction, we were pretty impressed with what they were able to do and put a good squad together.”
Former Australian skipper, who led his team to two World Cup titles, added it is difficult to predict the winner in the T20 format as the team which holds their nerves mostly goes on to win.
“They’ve only built on that again this year. I think Rajasthan will be there, thereabouts. It’s a hard game to judge and a hard game to understand who’s going to win. Those who stand up in the moment will generally win more often than not. But if I’m looking at the squads, Rajasthan has got a good squad as anybody.”
On the other hand, the new Impact rule will be introduced for the first time in the IPL, according to which an Indian player can come into play as a substitute at any stage of the game. Ponting feels it will give extra work to coaches and it will be interesting to note how each team will utilize the new rule.
“Let’s wait and see. It’s a nice innovation and it’s definitely going to give a lot more work to the coaches once the game starts.
“I mean, normally as a coach, once the game is started, there’s not much you can do to influence the outcome of the game. But with this. I think there are some significant ways that you can tactically influence the game.”
Rajasthan Royals will kick off their IPL 2023 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on 2nd April.
